Shaw Lauds Government

Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Planning, Growth and Economic Development, Audley Shaw, has lauded the move by the Government to further enhance the role of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC).

Making his presentation in the 2012/13 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, Tuesday May 29, Mr. Shaw said the Opposition welcomed the Minister’s announced intention to expand the role of the PAAC.

(Related Story: Budget Lays Foundation for Growth – Phillips)

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, had announced in his Budget Debate presentation on May 24, that the PAAC would be called on to examine half-yearly reports on the performance of the economy for each fiscal year.

Under this initiative, the PAAC will be expected to consider, usually in November of each year, the status of the medium term economic programme; the progress on meeting the specified fiscal targets, including the fiscal deficit/surplus and the primary surplus; the resource and borrowing needs for the remainder of the current fiscal year; and the implications for the specified targets for the ensuing fiscal year, in the context of the medium term economic programme.

Mr. Shaw also noted that it is time to “lift the bar of public discourse, where our people can feel the combined energy of a dynamic democracy at work for and on behalf of the people of Jamaica, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.”

“We are dedicated to playing our part in achieving Vision 2030 Jamaica, the place to live, work, raise families and do business,” the Opposition Spokesperson said.

Mr. Shaw  argued that  to get things done, “leaders must be prepared to make unpopular decisions that ultimately redound to the benefit of the vast majority of the people.”