Speech Notes: Bobby Stevenson, MPL, Budget Vote of the Provincial Legislature 2019/20
August 14th, 2019
Firstly, on behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Premier Oscar Mabuyane and his family following the loss of his younger brother, Mr Sonwabo Mabuyane, as well as to the family and friends of MPL Ncediwe Nobevu-Booi, and finally to the other staff members of this institution who have recently lost their loved ones. The budget of this provincial legislature takes place within …
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Your speech Hounorable Premier, differs sharply from that of your predecessors in that there are whispers of futuristic thinking in it. However, what it lacks is the necessary game changers to rebuild this province. Your reference to Chief Albert Luthuli and the Cross reminded me of the biblical injunction to build your house upon a rock and also of his words in 1963, in relation to my former colleague Helen …
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Speech Notes by Bobby Stevenson (MPL): Response to SOPA 2019 – Building One SA for All
February 19th, 2019 The President, during SONA, used the phrase; “Watch this Space!” a few times. When he said this, it made me think of the DA seats in the provincial legislature, after the 8th May. I just had this picture in my mind of ours seats getting more and more… so I say Hon. Premier, watch this space! After the 8th May. When the SAPS members blew their trumpets for the Speaker, …
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Speech Notes: The Annual and Financial Oversight Report of the Department of Safety and Liaison
December 5th, 2018 The latest crime statistics are cold comfort to the residents of the Eastern Cape who daily live in fear of the criminal element that stalks our communities and highlights the dire need for a complete overhaul of how SAPS operates as well as an honest and professional police service. A bloody wave of violent crime continues to sweep through the Eastern Cape. 10 people are murdered every day in this …
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Summary of the DA’s Position The Democratic Alliance is opposed to the following budgets: The Department of Human Settlements; The Department of Economic Development, Environment Affairs and Tourism; The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform; and The Department of Health. The Department of Human Settlements: We cannot support the Human Settlements Grant which has been reduced by 14, 78% or R330-million (R2, 239-billion in 2017/18 to R1, 908-billion in …
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Speech Notes for Bobby Stevenson MPL, speaking on the 2018/19 Budget Vote of Provincial Treasury. 17 May 2018
May 18th, 2018
This Provincial Budget takes place against the backdrop of the fiscal crisis that is currently facing South Africa. There is currently a budget deficit of R193-billion in the National Budget and ballooning national debt, which will rise to R3,4-trillion or 59,7% of GDP by 2021. The impact on the Eastern Cape is extremely detrimental. Over the period of 2012/13 – 2018/19 financial years, taking into account the 2011 census and …
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The Democratic Alliance welcomes the additional R100-million that is being awarded to the Eastern Cape, due to slow expenditure patterns in other provinces. The Department of Human Settlements needs every cent that it can get in order to deliver housing in the Eastern Cape and to make a dent in the huge backlogs that we have. This is particularly so, as that the Human Settlements Grant has been cut by …
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Speech Notes: Bobby Stevenson MPL, DA Leader in the Provincial Legislature: State of the Province Address debate 28 February 2018
February 28th, 2018BROKEN PROVINCE IN NEED OF URGENT FIXING Hon. Speaker, Hon. Premier, MEC’s, Members of the House and visitors. I do not wish to stand here and gloat with regard to the chaos which is currently engulfing the ANC in this province. However, this factional deadlock needs to be resolved urgently as nobody can lead a province when you are looking over your shoulder. You cannot drive a car forwards looking …
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Speech Notes by Bobby Stevenson: Annual Report 2016-2017: Safety & Liaison. 29 November 2017
November 29th, 2017
One of the key issues that need to be addressed is the long delay that it has taken to fill the HoD post. This has been unfilled for more than a year. The question that needs to be asked is why this post has remained vacant for so long? This is the lead Department in the province when it comes to promoting safety and security. Its work efforts and vision …
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Speech Notes by Bobby Stevenson: Consideration of the Adjustments Appropriation Bill 2017. 29 Nocvember 2017
November 29th, 2017
This province faces a number of challenges when it comes to the macroeconomic and fiscal environment. These challenges can be summarised as: Weak Economic Growth Fiscal Slippage The Wage Bill (66% – 63.3%) Institutional Vulnerability The country as a whole is experiencing weak economic growth, where this year it is projected to be at 0.7% barely increasing to 1% in 2018. This weak economic growth can be solely laid at …
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