Thank you, Chairperson.
At a time when the national Budget is already in deficit, which is likely to widen, the question must arise at to why this additional expense is required and how it will be funded. The impact on the National Treasury must also be clarified.
The National Treasury has already raised its concern that skilled resources are in limited supply and that the remuneration of its technical experts does not match that offered in the private sector. Despite this, and unlike many other government departments, the team is functional and ably led. Destabilising the National Treasury team at a time when extreme pressure exists in the wake of the recession must be avoided. The National Treasury needs to provide a reality check in terms of public spending. It cannot do this as a weak and fragmented unit.
It also needs to focus on accurately modelling the likely impact of the recession on our economy and the most appropriate fiscal response, and not be distracted by having to negotiate in-built structural tensions.
Uncertainty is not good for our economy and clarity is required on the unfolding experiment of the developmental state. In response to the DA's questions on the nature of the developmental state, former Minister Fraser- Moleketi responded that, and I quote: There is no simple plan that delineates progress towards the attainment of the "developmental state" and South Africa cannot be said to base its approach on any existing model.
At the heart of the concept lies a belief that developmental goals will be driven by the Public Service under the commanding hand of the state. [Interjections.]