Speaker, the IFP would like to congratulate the Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, for publicly calling on his Cabinet colleagues and senior government officials to behave with what he called "modesty and moderation" and not to spend excessively on wasteful indulgences such as luxury cars and expensive hotels.
Of course, this call is needed precisely because we have a problem right now. Let us remember that the government, of which he is a part, is increasingly being seen as one that is unable to put its money where its mouth is. It preaches restraint, but practises excess. It talks the language of the common man or woman, but acts as a bunch of fat-cat plutocrats. It is sure to talk, but fails to walk the talk.
We were very pleased to note that on assumption of his present office, the Minister of Finance set the right tone by eschewing the use of millions of rands plus the limousines to which his colleagues were attracted like moths to a flame. Wouldn't it be good if the rest of the executive behaved in the same way, with similar restraint? Instead, we have become accustomed to observing conspicuous consumption on a grand scale, as if the public purse were personal Lotto winnings to be spent on satisfying people's desires for the high life.
Feeding at the trough is one way of looking at it and it does not help that with almost every infringement of appropriate behaviour, the ministerial handbook is hauled out. Then the fine print is used to claim that X or Y is not prohibited and is therefore acceptable. It does not help government's cause that it has had to deal with alleged fraud in its ranks. This applies to both Cabinet and public servants, thousands of whom are having what should be charges of theft converted into loan agreements.
We concur with the Minister of Finance's plea for "a serious shift of culture in the way government does business", and we hope his colleagues are listening. [Applause.]