XN000022-1993-03-31 — Page 27

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1993

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BUDGET BUILDS ON SUCCESS : FS

THE BUDGET IS TRULY BUILDING ON SUCCESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID ONE LEGCO MEMBER DESCRIBED HIM AS SANTA CLAUS.

"UNFORTUNATELY, HE IS NOT HERE TODAY."

MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT LIVE BEYOND ITS MEANS.

"AND WE CANNOT AVOID MAKING OFTEN DIFFICULT CHOICES. MEMBERS WILL NOT EXPECT ME TO FUND EVERY PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS."

"OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAS ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO EMBARK ON THE AGENDA OF MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS SET OUT IN THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER.

"THE SAME SUCCESS HAS ENABLED ME TO RAISE OUR SIGHTS IN THIS MR MACLEOD SAID, WHEN WINDING UP THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.

BUDGET,

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HE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT:

* MORE THAN 250,000 EXISTING TAXPAYERS WILL NO LONGER HAVE

PAY ANY SALARIES TAX;

ANOTHER 1.2 MILLION SALARIES TAX:

то

EXISTING TAXPAYERS WILL PAY LESS

AN ADDITIONAL 32,000 FAMILIES WILL QUALIFY FOR THE EXPANDED KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME;

* A NEW $1.1BILLION 600-BED HOSPITAL WILL BE BUILT FOR NORTH

DISTRICT:

*

$4 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON ROUTE3 TO CREATE A NEW ROAD LINK TO CHINA; AND

$1 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TUEN MUA HIGHWAY,

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

"THIS HAS TRULY BEEN A BUDGET ABOUT BUILDING ON SUCCESS," MR MACLEOD CONCLUDED.

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