Chair, as economist James Galbraith stated:
Planning, properly conceived, deals with the use of today's resources to meet tomorrow's needs. It specifically tackles issues markets cannot solve.
And:
In a properly designed system, planning and markets do not contradict one another.
There can be no doubt that challenges such as climate change, energy supply, food and water security, and structural inequalities such as systemic poverty, require longer-term planning. It will, of course, be necessary to involve independent experts and strategic thinkers in determining these long-term planning priorities and to draw up a national strategic plan.
For the ACDP, the fact that planning internationally has been used by dictators to impose a specific agenda only highlights the absolute necessity for Parliament to play a far greater role in oversight over the National Planning Commission, and a standing committee should be established for this purpose. Any tendency to centralise or abuse power would then be held in check.
The ACDP agrees that this process can only benefit by developing a White Paper first. We will support the report on this basis. Thank you. [Applause.]