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{
    "id": 661686,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/661686/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 69,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Billow",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 260,
        "legal_name": "Billow Adan Kerrow",
        "slug": "billow-kerrow"
    },
    "content": "On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to have your guidance on the issue of the Budget. Today, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the National Treasury is presenting the Budget Statement for financial year 2016/2017 to the National Assembly. The current Constitution and the laws do not provide for a typical Budget that is presented to the National Assembly. It provides for the Budget Strategy Paper and Budget Policy Statement which are submitted to both Houses of Parliament and all of us have had our input and estimates were tabled long ago. The Cabinet Secretary (CS) merely gives a Statement on Government policies. If you read the spirit of the Constitution, since the entire process has involved both Houses, could I have your guidance on why both Houses cannot, in a Joint Sitting, then, receive the presentation of the Budget Statement? I think that is the spirit in which the Budget is addressed. Going forward, perhaps the two Speakers could consult because there is no express provision that the Budget should be presented in the National Assembly. The documents have, however, been given to both Houses from April. Since we are putting a lot of our time in the process, when the Cabinet Secretary (CS) is giving the Statement, it should be given to both Houses. I think a Joint Sitting would be appropriate. As the whole country is watching and deliberating on the Budget today, we are sitting here as a House that has put in quite a bit of time and we are not participating in that process. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}