Chairperson, the ANC rises in support of the Budget Vote. In dealing with the Budget Vote of Economic Development, we are constantly reminded of the magnitude of the responsibility that this department has been given to oversee the development of the financing of the government that will result in growth, decent work and greater equity. There can be few Budget Votes that are charged with such responsibility and scope.
This Budget Vote's core challenge is dealing with mass joblessness, poverty and inequality. We have to deal with this in the context of a difficult global economic crisis and ensure that we make a difference to the lives of our people. This Vote is about economic development policy and the financing of it through this Vote. The Vote reflects the alignment of this policy with the political and economic objectives and mandate that the executive set out for government when it established the Department of Economic Development in 2009.
Our collective and common point of departure in this debate must, therefore, be that the vote of funds must result in the creation of decent work through inclusive growth and development. We have the responsibility of oversight of the implementation of the New Growth Path, not only by this department but by other departments as well. The challenge is whether or not the microeconomic perspectives of economic development and this Budget Vote meet the requirements of the ANC government's policies and give substance to the ANC government's five-year plan of governance.
The Budget Vote does reflect the funding of policy priorities of the ANC government, and this can be traced to government programmes and projects in the Vote. In addition, we can see a progression of funding of policy priorities from the 2011 Budget Vote to this one. The Vote has addressed issues of adequacy, given the mandate of the Department of Economic Development, and it reinforces issues of equity, and thus it deals with unemployment and poverty.
Finally, this can be traced in the Vote, and the Vote reflects the directives of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in 2011. The ANC supports Budget Vote 28. Thank you. [Applause.] Division demanded.
The Council divided:
AYES - 32: Adams, F; Boroto, MG; Bloem, DV; Chaane, TE; de Beer, CJ; Dikgale, MC; Feldman, DB; Gamede, DD; Jacobs, MP; Mabe, BP; Mabija, L; Magadla, NW; Makhubela, MW; Makhunyane, T; Mashile, BL; Matila, AG; Mazosiwe, S; Mlenzana, Z; Mncube, BV; Mnguni, BA; Mofokeng, TMH; Mokgoro, GG; Montsitsi, SD; Nesi, B; Ntwanambi, ND; Nyambi, AJ; Nzimande, LPM; Qikani, AND; Rantho, DZ; Rasmeni, RN; Sibande, MP; Tau, RJ.
NOES - 11: Abrahams, BL; Bekker, JM; de Villiers, MJR; Faber, WF; Groenewald, HB; Gunda, JJ; Joseph, D; Lees, RA; Manzini, VM; Van Lingen, EC; Worth, DA.
Vote accordingly agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Independent Democrats dissenting).
Vote No 29 - Energy - put:
Declarations of vote: