Holness adds voice to Budget Debate today
Published:Thursday | March 21, 2024 | 12:11 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Andrew Holness will be under the microscope in Parliament’s Lower House today when he makes his contribution to the Budget Debate, which comes three weeks after a hotly contested local government election that has balanced Jamaica’s political scales.
Holness’ presentation also comes days after controversy in the House of Representatives on Tuesday when a government walkout, led by him, forced an abrupt end to Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s contribution.
As opposed to finance minister Dr Nigel Clarke’s presentation, which, primarily, articulated the overall fiscal policy objectives of the Government and the finer technical details, economist Keenan Falconer says Holness is likely to speak extensively on the administration’s social policy priorities.
That includes emphasising initiatives related to health, education, housing, and poor relief in particular.
Falconer, who is with the UN Jamaica Economy Panel, said this would necessarily include measures to address the cost of living, productivity challenges, and human capital development.
“I expect the prime minister’s presentation will tout the benefits of infrastructural improvements, especially with respect to water and roads and the need to continue on the trajectory of increasing capital expenditure in these areas since they broadly fall within his remit as minister with ultimate responsibility for economic growth and job creation,” Falconer told The Gleaner yesterday.
INCENTIVISE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
On that point, he said Holness’ presentation will concomitantly outline policies to incentivise the business community and facilitate an economic environment conducive to further job creation given successive quarters of record-low unemployment.
Falconer also believes that the National Housing Trust and the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) may feature prominently in Holness’ delivery since, as he puts it, housing and social protection are two of the main areas where the translation of benefits to the population are more readily apparent.
“Those pronouncements I expect to be consistent with the overall theme of this Budget Debate, which has centred largely on how the Government can convert its macroeconomic gains to persons at the microeconomic level,” he said.
One government insider said the prime minister can be expected to present a case that this Jamaica Labour Party administration is best placed to implement policies that support continued growth in investment, jobs, and income.
Additionally, that the Government is much more attentive and strategic in equitably and justly managing the contest for benefits in the society in a way that keeps those benefits flowing sustainably.
“The approach of the opposition, when left on their own, leads to start and stop, feast and famine, and volatile economic and social conditions,” the government insider said.
Questions have been raised as to whether the opposition will show up to Holness’ presentation following Tuesday’s walkout.
Holness called Golding “low and desperate” after his opposition counterpart raised concern about Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness presiding as Speaker while being the wife of the head of Government.
She was nominated unanimously by government members for Speaker of the House. This was seconded by Phillip Paulwell, the leader of opposition business.