SDP to release Shadow Budget 2012: Securing Our Future

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Singapore Democrats

The Singapore Democrats will release our shadow budget tomorrow, 22 February 2012 at a press conference to be held at the party office at 12A Jalan Gelenggang at 4 pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

We published Shadow Budget 2011 to highlight the deficiencies and misprioritization of our national expenditure by the PAP Government. This year's shadow budget, again led by Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, will again provide an alternative expenditure plan for our nation.

Entitled Shadow Budget 2012: Securing Our Future, the document will allow Singaporeans the chance to look at a different - and better - model of expending our state funds. We do this because we strive to live up to our ideal of being a constructive and intelligent opposition party.

As in 2011, party treasurer Dr Wijeysingha, the principal author, will present Shadow Budget 2012. At a glance the Shadow Budget proposes a stark shift away from the PAP's spending priorities - away from the emphasis on defence spending to a more reasonable plan to invest in and look after, other aspects of our society.

For example, we have emphasized on the need to beef up our healthcare expenditure where we propose a $12 billion budget per year with the government shouldering the main bulk of the costs. The SDP will spell out in detail funding for our National Healthcare Plan which will be unveiled in the near future.

Even though the PAP Government has made some adjustments to its expenditure estimates in this year's Budget in favour of more social spending, it is still far from getting its priorities right. The emphasis is still very much skewed towards the rich, leavng the poor as burdened as ever.

Shadow Budget 2012: Securing Our Future will address the gaps and problems in the Government's Budget and present to Singaporeans a considered and sensible alternative budget. They will have an idea of what a Budget that is geared towards their well-being looks like.

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Comments (3)

Tue 21 Feb 2012 7:23 PM | wmulew

Your last Budget was REALLY Stupid. Just goes to show why NONE of you have been elected. I'm hoping this year's budget is just as moronic so I can read it anytime I need a good laugh

Tue 21 Feb 2012 10:30 PM | GJaga - Delusionary?

Why 4pm?

When most people who would care and understand these matters will be busy at the office?

Seems like you already starting to act as some MOF, and think what you would say going to move the stock markets?
Perhaps you should first inform the SGX so they can take appropriate action.

If you have any sense, move it to 8p.m.

Wed 22 Feb 2012 1:02 AM | Buwakasha

wmulew, while I understand what you mean, I think your comment is unsubstantial and uninformative. You should point to what proposals in the budget were stupid and moronic instead of just saying that they are. This makes you the stupid and moronic one instead.

As for the budget last year, I like some proposal like re-evaluating the size of the cabinet and salaries of ministers, but detest others, like the changes to GST. Other proposals are too micro for a general budget, like teacher to student ratio and NSF allowance, which are planted in there for political purposes (appeal to voters) rather than for any actual policy changes.