Solomons Biggest Budget Passed in Parliament

National Parliament passed the country's biggest budget of over 4-billion dollars in its third reading yesterday.

The passage came after 8 days of debate.

Finance Minister, Snyder Rini, tabled the budget last Monday followed by four days of debate until Monday this week when it went through the Committee of Supply.

The Budget was passed without changes.

The 2009 budget comprises an estimated recurrent expenditure of about one-point-six billion dollars, and a development budget of about two-point-two billion dollars.

Finance Minister, Mr. Rini, said the government is expected to collect more than one-point-six billion dollars in domestic revenue and an additional support of more than one-point-seven billion dollars from development partners.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare cautioned government against the use of contingency warrant.

He said contingency warrant should only be used in times of emergency.

Source: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)