Madam Deputy Speaker, the ACDP wishes to commend the Minister and National Treasury on a Budget that was broadly well received by most sectors of society. We fully support its main thrust, which is about galvanising society behind a national effort to place the country on an investment-led growth path. This major shift from consumption spending to spending on the production side of the economy is significant and is to be welcomed.
At the same time, the Minister has remained committed to fiscal sustainability. We were pleasantly surprised at the decreasing Budget deficit, both for the current year and the next financial year. One wonders, hon Minister, what more one is required to do to satisfy certain ratings agencies.
The projected fiscal framework depends of course on a rise in revenue, coupled with economic growth as well as restrained government expenditure. As you can see, hon Minister, I have had my haircut. We share your view that departments are expected to do the same to achieve the forecast savings of R27 billion over the medium term. The ACDP also raised concerns during discussions about the 32% capital underspending by provinces and municipalities. Considering the massive infrastructure roll-out, how will we ensure, hon Minister, that, to quote you, "infrastructure will be delivered on time and on budget"? Close co- operation with the private sector is clearly very necessary and required. It is also essential to root out wasteful and irregular expenditure and corruption, considering that government expenditure will, for the first time, breach the R1 trillion mark.
The Gauteng freeway tolling system remains a bitter pill to swallow, notwithstanding the reduction in the toll fee from 66c to 30c per kilometre, and the monthly capping. This is on top of the 20c increase in the fuel levy. Opposition is not so much about the price, but the principle of tolling suburban routes. However, in conclusion, the ACDP will support this report.