Budget Cuts

Opposition calls for cuts in PM’s department budget

It is believed the Government will be tabling and deliberating on the 2017 National Budget next month.

Opposition Leader and former Treasurer Don Polye warned that school aged children will not be in classrooms and mothers in rural areas will face difficulties giving birth if the Government goes ahead with budget cuts for the health and education sectors.

He said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill should instead cut budgets for his own department and refrain from globetrotting to save money which can be better  used in other areas.

Govt to cut spending in 2016

Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch when handing down the K14.2 billion 2016 budget said the total expenditure represented a K367.2 million, or 2.4 per cent reduction from the 2015  Budget of K15,129.7 million.

He said the 2016 expenditure provided a lower fiscal ceiling compared to previous years.

“Therefore, a clear prioritisation of expenditures guided the formulation of the 2016 Budget,’’ he said.

The following are the main Budget priorities: