Chairperson, Minister and Deputy Minister, hon members, finance family, sanibonani [good day], it is my privilege to present the debate on the public finance and budget management.
This is programme 2 of the National Treasury. It consists of three divisions, namely the budget office, public finance, and intergovernmental relations. Within it there is also a subprogramme which is the technical and management subprogramme.
Let me quote from section 215, clause 1, of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa:
National, provincial and municipal budgets and budgetary processes must promote transparency, accountability and effective financial management of the economy, debt and the public sector.
Let me congratulate the finance family for ensuring that the vision of our forebearers is achieved and maintained. On 17 February 2010, hon Minister Pravin Gordhan delivered his speech and said - and I quote:
Through a combination of corrupt practices, inefficient procurement, poor planning and, in some instances, collusion by the private sector, we are not getting the kind of value from our purchases that our people deserve.
This is so true. Indeed, this indicates that the ANC-led government is transparent and accountable, hon George, because you wouldn't know about this corruption or understand what hon Gordhan said on 17 February. Let me illustrate the three elements or divisions that I highlighted earlier on. Let me start with the budget office. The budget office, according to the ANC, co-ordinates the national budget process and ensures prudent resource allocation. The process improves value for money in spending across government.
We see this process as the critical reason for the establishment of the budget office, especially during the fiscal recession which is a global cancer. The ANC deems it correct to call upon all government departments to be able to deliver services within the available scarce resources.
We request that the National Treasury facilitates the efficient commissioning of the budget office. It should give a clear structure of the roles because they are the fundamental requirements for the existence of the budget office. It is critical for this budget office to exist, and we would request that its functions be well detailed and understood by all relevant stakeholders. A structured awareness programme would be appreciated if it was put in place to assist understanding and community participation.
We also request objective and amicable participation from the opposition, especially the DA, to ensure effective oversight by Parliament since they complain rather than give solutions.
The ANC understands that one of the functions of the budget office is to enhance the quality of performance information as contained in the finance document. We are, therefore, interested in seeing how this function will unfold. If this function unfolds effectively, the ANC will ensure that the community participates and that Parliament gives proper and effective participation in budget allocation and debates.
The ANC also noted that there was poor attendance during the Budget Votes. We hope that this will improve that, through the budget awareness programme.
The ANC is aware that the establishment of the budget office will be like the milestones of an infant. Therefore, we are not requesting the impossible from the departments; however, targets and deadlines should be met.
Public finance is the second division which the ANC sees as a link with all national departments and other government entities. As a result, its function is to improve alignment between the policy framework and public spending. The ANC would appreciate the alignment of the budget allocation with the priorities that were set in the manifesto as well as the timeframes set for monitoring, whether it be quarterly or otherwise; so that, at the end of the day, we are able to identify any weakness and improve the implementation thereof. Intergovernmental relations is the third division which we see as the link between the provinces and the municipalities. We request the department to speed up the restructuring of procurement. We are aware that the department is trying, but, as the ANC, we are concerned about the pace at which we are moving towards this restructuring.
We are not too sure whether or not Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, BBBEE, does have teeth. The participation of historically disadvantaged individuals in the growing economy is still questionable. Unlike the DA, the ANC always comes with proposals. The hon George always complains about procurement without giving solutions.
We also request the department to ensure that there is an efficient implementation of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, Act 9 of 2009. Hon George, it is unfortunate that when you decided to go out and collect the information about the wastage from the international bank, you only focused on South Africa. It would have been far better if, while collecting information, your report was comprehensive. You would have assisted this House with awareness of what other countries are doing.
However, I am not surprised because the DA has neither policies nor programmes to talk about other than complaining about the ANC. The ANC has never said that it is easy to govern. The ANC said they are ready to govern. Therefore, we are ready to govern.
Let me applaud the ANC for setting up a government based on the will of the people and on people-centred and people-driven principles as part of the process of deracialising the economy and society at large, thus ensuring economic growth, development and redistribution for a better life for all. The ANC supports Budget Vote 9. I thank you. [Applause.]