Mr Speaker, in my ridiculously short minute I can only note that the government's response, as outlined by the Minister, seems to be based on the notion of a temporary crisis, a period of bad weather, a cyclical period of downturn which will bring us back to where we were before it all started. It therefore reflects the notion: Let's try to freeze the present situation until the weather improves and we will be fine. I hope he gets it right.
I, however, beg to differ. I think that this crisis is a structural crisis. It needs to be addressed in the context of what can survive in a future environment characterised by massive manufacturing capacity having been moved around the world by the effects of the crisis itself.
A crisis is a time for opportunities. It is a time in which bold actions can be taken. It is a time to look at where South Africa is going to be after the crisis - whether we will develop the capacity to produce products for the global market.
In that sense, government should also take the opportunity to take bold measures to develop an industrial policy for the country - a new industrial basis for after the crisis. This might not seem to be the time to do so, but it is the time in which the need for survival may press us to take such bold action.
By the same token, let us liberalise the market, as Dr George was saying. Let's finally fulfil the promise of getting rid of exchange controls, which has been echoing in this Chamber for many years. Let's look at the skills within the market, the monopolies ...