Chairperson, the ANC proudly supports Budget Vote No 2: Parliament. We understand that this Budget Vote of today is a bridge between the Fourth Parliament and the Fifth Parliament. What is very important is that, whatever issues parties have, they must know that the work begins today, that we are preparing for the budget of 2015-16, and they will be given an opportunity to make their own inputs.
However, what is also very important about this budget is that, if Members of Parliament object to this budget, it means that they are objecting, firstly, to the fact that constituency offices must be established; secondly, to the fact that they must be paid; thirdly, to the fact they must be trained and empowered to have effective oversight over the portfolio committees; and fourthly, it means that they are not connecting this Parliament with other international institutions that are parliamentary forums.
Therefore, they must understand the implications of what they are doing, because it is going to come back and haunt them. But the ANC proudly supports this budget, because it said that the people shall govern. Thank you. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).
Vote No 3 - Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs - put.
Declarations of vote: