Madam Deputy Speaker and hon members, the budget before us is significantly less than what Parliament initially applied for. Particularly in tough economic times, we should expect that such fiscal restraint will be required. One hopes that a tighter budget will not translate into a reduction in the quality of the institution's work output.
Even though the Secretary to Parliament was found not to have committed any misconduct, allegations of this nature further dent the image of the institution, which is still reeling from the negative publicity caused by the Travelgate scandal.
We have commenced this new Parliament with all parties agreeing to the need for greater accountability. There were commitments to debate and meaningful participation, yet already we see a continuation of the old ways of doing things. The times allocated to parties during debates need to reflect the seriousness of the matters we discuss. Times should also show respect for the voters. Even the smallest party here has a mandate from tens of thousands of voters who have the right to be properly heard in this House and in its committees. We need to urgently review how we allocate time and manage debates in Parliament if we are indeed serious about genuine democracy. The UDM supports this Budget. I thank you. [Applause.]