Mr President, Deputy President, hon members, the hon President has promised enhanced service delivery. With this in mind, a number of new Ministries have been created, including one in The Presidency to monitor performance and delivery. The ACDP's concern lies with the number of new Ministries within the economic sphere. Our particular concern lies in the sphere of the economic policy, so crucial in view of the domestic recession and need to address unemployment and poverty. We pose the question as to whether such Ministries will enhance service delivery or indeed temper it.
The ACDP believes that there will be a large degree of overlap between the Trade and Industry, Finance, and Economic Development Ministries. If one adds the National Planning Minister in The Presidency, then, as pointed out by the Financial Mail, the possibility of conflicts and power struggles is huge. This would be particularly so if there is a dispute as to the direction of economic policy.
The Minister of Finance yesterday, in response to our and other members' questions in this regard, said that it was early days yet and gave the assurance that each Ministry would co-operate in the spirit of co-operative governance. He added that there would be a report-back shortly, following discussions as to how it will all work.
Chairperson, the danger is that economic policy may become "deharmonised". A harmonised economic policy that provides certainty is crucial to attracting foreign investment, particularly in a climate of global economic recession. Markets need to be reassured about economic policies. South Africa cannot afford such policy uncertainty in a global economic meltdown environment.
The question, hon President, is how you see the interaction between these various Ministries taking place and what steps will be taken to avoid conflict or a "deharmonised" economic policy that will negatively impact on our reputation for investors.
Mr President, you did say in your state of the nation address that the stable microeconomic policy aims, pursued by government since 1994, were not going to change. However, what we want to know is which Ministry will ensure that that does happen?
Mr President, members of the public who have complained to your office are correct when they say that when they call government departments for assistance, they are either made to hold on for ridiculously long intervals or are transferred from office to office until they are frustrated.
The ACDP would appreciate an immediate end to this unacceptable practice among some government officials and members of their staff. The wearing of name tags, as you mentioned, Mr President, to ensure a more personal connection with members of the public, is a commendable idea.
I have two questions in this regard. Firstly, when will this practice be implemented, and, secondly, what should members of the public do if certain government personnel appear to be unwilling to wear a name tag?
The ACDP supports not only this Budget Vote, but also the President's intention to greatly improve government's service delivery to all our people. I thank you. [Applause.]