House Chair, let me tell the House why the DA supports the Department of Trade and Industry's Budget, the DTI.
On the downside the DTI spends far too little on commercial diplomacy. Too much effort goes to fostering trade with the Brics countries and too little in pushing our exports into Africa and our traditional trading partners. Small business is overregulated but still the DTI is making a significant contribution to the green economy, to mining and engineering, especially oil and gas and to agro processing and there is more. The DTI's balance sheet therefore is one where there are more assets than deficits.
The hon Davies is not a problem for Parliament. Our problem is a President who is incapable of providing urgent transversal leadership to co-ordinate time-sensitive responses to market failures in the critical areas of skills, labour clearance and infrastructure.
On balance, therefore, colleagues, the DA supports the DTI's budget. [Applause.]