Summary of comments on the Budget Speech

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
HENNIE BEKKER MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON FINANCE

February 21, 2007

SUMMARY:
IFP spokesperson on Finance, Hennie Bekker MP congratulated Minister Trevor Manual on his user-friendly Budget Speech.  Mr Bekker said that the massive over-recovery of estimated income from taxation, particularly from corporate companies' taxation, enabled Mr Manual to present a sweetheart's budget.  Mr Bekker has proposed that a Tax Summit must be held to assess our Tax System.

The IFP agrees that this is the most appropriate time to introduce greater social welfare spending, specifically regarding social grants and the proposed compulsory Government pension fund. The IFP however cautions about the creation of a 'welfare honeypot' that can be creamed off by corruption.


OPSOMMING:
Die IVP woordvoerder oor Finansies, Hennie Bekker LP het Minister Trevor Manual geluk gewens met 'n verbruikers-vriendelik Begrotings toespraak. Mnr Bekker het gese dat die massiewe oorverhaling van belasting veral maatskappy belasting die Minister in staat gestel het om 'n 'Sweethearts' begroting daar te stel. Bekker het voorgestel dat 'n Belastingsberaad noe gehoe moet word. Die IVP verstaan dus waarom die geleentheid gebruik is om aansienlik meer aan welsyn toelaes te spandeer en die instelling van 'n verpligte spaarskema of pensionfonds. Die IVP waarsku egter dat ons moet werk teen 'n welsynheuninpot wat deur korrupsie uitgebuit kan word.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Hennie Bekker MP: 083 255 4520
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848