We can see higher fuel levies next year. We in Cope want to urge, if that is on the cards, that Treasury starts building into their future plans a higher fuel levy for a conditional grant to provinces to take care of regional roads. A good road infrastructure is vital for economic growth.
The other option is a range of new taxes. Are we preparing for a new Tobin tax next year? Maybe the Minister can say something about this. This debate today is against the background of a severe public sector strike. It was Mr Vavi who has reminded us that, since the economic downturn in 2008, we have lost over 1 million jobs and that we still have the highest inequality of any middle-income country in the world. Both these reasons do not justify the strike, but show how absurd it was.
When companies see revenues plunge and wages rise, they cut jobs. In 2009 Anglo Platinum agreed to a 9,5% wage hike, but immediately shed 15 000 jobs. The public sector is no different. Last year we saw an 11% increase and therefore 35 000 jobs were not created. So, an out of control public sector wage bill is bad news for fiscal discipline. If you do not start shedding jobs, or cutting infrastructure spending, or raising taxes, or introducing new ones, what do you do? The best way out is to see economic growth. Even if you have to shed jobs, you will see more revenue for the state. So, what we need in these difficult times is patience, a sustainable and well-anchored fiscal and monetary policy. So Cope wishes Sars all the best in collecting their due taxes and call on all South Africans to make use of the instruments created today to come clean and pay their due taxes. We shall support the legislation. [Applause.]