Parliament resumes this week after a two-week constituency period. The third term will run for seven weeks and the programme is packed with activities. Some of the highlights include oversight and legislative work, questions to the Executive, review of the national budget and the National Council of Province’s Oversight Week.
Later this month, the Minister of Finance will present the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to the National Assembly (NA), together with the Adjustments Appropriation Bill. The MTBPS outlines the economic context against which the 2015 budget is being formulated and sets out the spending framework for the next three years. It is an opportunity for government to modify expenditure and revenue patterns so that delivery is accelerated.
The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act of 2009 introduced the preparation of budgetary review and recommendation reports by Parliament’s committees. These reports were introduced in 2010 and may include recommendations on the future use of resources. They are a critical part of Parliament’s engagement with the budget for the following year and the Minister of Finance must respond to these recommendations when the budget is tabled. NA Committees’ preparation of their budget review and recommendation reports begin in earnest this week, with committees hearing from government departments and entities on their financial performance for 2013/14, and are scheduled to all be completed in the next two weeks.
The NCOP’s Oversight Week takes place from 21 to 24 October. Its aim is to bring together national, provincial and local government in an engagement with the people of a particular area.
President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to deliver his annual address to the NCOP on 6 November. Questions to the Executive are scheduled to take place four times in the NA and three times in the NCOP during this term.
Meanwhile, the Powers and Privileges Committee looking into the conduct of 20 EFF Members whose actions resulted in the suspension of the NA on 21 August will continue with its work. Also, the Ad Hoc Committee to Consider the Report by the President regarding the security upgrades at his Nkandla Private Residence will finalise its report in a few weeks and submit it to the NA for consideration.
You can find a full list of meetings for this week here.
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