Deputy Speaker, hon Speaker and hon President, hon members, as parliamentarians we depend much on support staff. If one of these diligent people departs from this world, as is the case with the late Mr Mkhethwa Mkhize, formerly of the committee section, we just say that it is unfortunate, as this young khabazela [man] was blossoming in his field. We shall really miss him in the Programming Committee.
The UCDP has come up with the slogan, "Stand Up and Speak Out", and I intend to do just that.
We are Members of Parliament and not of portfolio committees per se. Therefore, it is remiss for anyone to say because one does not belong to some committee, one may not speak on matters that arise in that committee. What all those holding a different view should do is to point out the correct situation and not deride an MP for not belonging to a committee. There is no Rule in Parliament that debars anyone from speaking on any matter on the table here in Parliament as long as it is relevant.
The UCDP would like to thank the presiding officers for having come up with a baseline speaking time that has eluded this Parliament since 1999. We are aware that they achieved this with grit and determination, when some even in the opposition were opposed to their proposal.
The fact that Parliament is prepared to fight against corruption was demonstrated with the riddance of the then Secretary to Parliament and the former chief financial officer for betraying the trust given to them. We hope all have noted that even the highest officers can fall and need to mend their ways.
The establishment of the Budget Office is a welcome development in the life of Parliament. We pray that the director appointed will take the institution to a higher level so that we in Parliament, who speak of clean administration, will lead from the front.
The Parliamentary Oversight Authority, POA, deserves a pat on the back for updating and reviewing the Travel Facilities Policy for Members. They have cut down excessive use of motor vehicles by members as it lent itself to abuse and they have added special arrangements for families in the event of a member dying. All these are worth writing home about, but equally important is to note that the R12 026 656 spent after the contract with a service provider had expired, had to be regularised. Nonetheless, the Auditor-General did condone that expenditure. Parliament should lead in paying service providers within 30 days, where applicable.
It is unfortunate that the formula for international trips is a closely guarded secret, which tends to be the prerogative of some parties. Since 2010 the POA has left it in the lap of the Joint Whips to finalise. The practice of the rotation of delegations seems to have been dispensed with.
It is unfortunate that however much efforts are being made to co-ordinate programmes of the Whips of the two Houses for joint meetings, it remains difficult.
Finally, while there is an improvement on the part of the executive in attending committee meetings when invited, it is unfortunate that some still stay away, even from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, where they have to account for the use of monies allocated to their departments by Parliament. We hope this improves, unless they have something to hide or they are at a loss about what is happening in their portfolios.
The UCDP will nonetheless support the Budget Vote. [Applause.]