Economy & business — Topics

13 Mar 2015

Acknowledgement to the Chair

The Minister for Defence highlighted that the Budget 2015/2016 advances the vision of a fair and inclusive society, with new social safety nets like Workfare and Silver Support, while also noting concerns about fiscal sustainability and the need for Singaporeans to work together to ensure future prosperity.
The Mdm Speaker emphasized unanimous support for the Jubilee Budget, noting active participation from all Members, including new Nominated Members, and stressed the importance of mindset changes and collective responsibility for policies like SkillsFuture to succeed.
Both speakers acknowledged ongoing challenges such as ageing population, economic restructuring, and misinformation on policies, underscoring the need for continued outreach and effort to serve Singaporeans faithfully and ensure policies benefit all.

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13 Mar 2015

Supplementary Supply (FY 2014) Bill

Tharman Shanmugaratnam moved the second reading of the Supplementary Supply (FY 2014) Bill to authorize additional government spending beyond the original Supply Act 2014, as required by the Constitution.
The supplementary expenditure had been presented as Supplementary Estimates and approved by the House as Paper Cmd 2 of 2015.
The Bill was read a second time, agreed to, and subsequently read a third time and passed.

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13 Mar 2015

Supply Bill

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance moved the second and third readings of the Supply Bill to authorize government expenditures for the financial year from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
The Bill is required by the Constitution to appropriate funds from the Consolidated Fund and Development Fund for heads of expenditure approved in the Main and Development Estimates.
Upon approval, the Bill empowers the Minister to issue warrants for expenditure up to the amounts specified in the Bill's schedule.

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13 Mar 2015

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

The Committee of Supply convened on the 7th Allotted Day to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
The debate commenced with procedural orders read for the consideration of the expenditure estimates, with the Speaker presiding over the proceedings.
The session marked the beginning of the parliamentary review of the government’s proposed spending plans for the upcoming financial year.

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12 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

The Minister for Social and Family Development sought consent to report progress on the Committee of Supply and adjourn the debate to the next day.
The Chairman granted consent, and a formal resolution was passed to report progress and resume the session the following day.
The Deputy Speaker then formally reported that the Committee had made progress on the 2015/2016 financial year Estimates of Expenditure.
The House was instructed to continue its proceedings the next day, concluding the session.

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12 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head X (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth)

The debate centered on MCCY's budget and plans for SG50, with members highlighting the need to preserve heritage, promote sports, and support the Malay/Muslim community, including zakat management, mosque development, and madrasah education.
Minister Yaacob Ibrahim outlined initiatives for the Malay/Muslim community, such as expanding mosque infrastructure, enhancing educational support through MENDAKI, strengthening family programs, and ensuring madrasah students receive examination fee waivers.
Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized SG50 celebrations focusing on heritage, culture, and the future, detailing investments in cultural institutions like the National Gallery, support for traditional arts, and efforts to make Singapore a "Giving Nation" through volunteerism and corporate philanthropy.
Discussions included proposals for heritage impact assessments, preserving sites like Haw Par Villa, expanding sports facilities under the Sports Facilities Master Plan, and supporting athletes ahead of the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.
Members raised concerns about racial and religious harmony, youth engagement, and inclusivity, with the government committing to initiatives like the Harmony Fund, Youth Corps Singapore, and enhancing disability sports participation.

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12 Mar 2015

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

The Parliament convened on the 6th Allotted Day to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 under the Committee of Supply.
The Speaker presided over the session, marking the formal commencement of the debate on the government's proposed budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year.

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11 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong, sought and obtained consent to report progress and request leave to sit again tomorrow.
The Chairman formally resolved to report progress and asked for leave to sit again the following day.
The Deputy Speaker confirmed the resolution and noted the progress made on the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2015/2016 financial year.

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11 Mar 2015

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

The debate commenced in the Committee of Supply for the financial year 2015-2016, with the Speaker presiding.
Members proceeded to review and debate the estimates of expenditure for the specified period.
The focus was on scrutinizing the proposed government spending plans and allocations.

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10 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

Khaw Boon Wan moved to report progress and resume the Committee of Supply the next day, which was approved by the Chairman.
The Deputy Speaker took over the chair as the Committee reported further progress on the 2015/2016 Estimates.
The session concluded with leave granted to sit again the following day.

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10 Mar 2015

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

The Committee of Supply convened for the 4th Allotted Day to consider and debate the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
Mdm Speaker presided over the session and directed the proceedings to begin at Page 9 of the agenda.
The debate focused on the proposed government expenditure for the upcoming financial year, involving scrutiny by Members of Parliament.

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9 Mar 2015

Estimated FY2015 Expenditure for People's Association

The People's Association's FY2015 expenditure rose by 51.3% to over S$1 billion, driven by a higher government commitment to social cohesion and racial harmony.
The 115.4% increase in development expenditure, amounting to S$239.3 million, is primarily for building new facilities like the Tampines Town Hub, nine new community clubs, and two Water-Venture outlets, plus upgrading 28 existing clubs.
Operating expenditure increased by 22% or S$100.3 million to fund the Pioneer Generation Ambassador programme and support grassroots organizations and Community Development Councils in assisting the needy and fostering community bonds.

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9 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

The Minister for Communications and Information moved to report progress and adjourn the Committee of Supply until the next day.
The Chairman approved the motion, and the Deputy Speaker assumed the chair of the House.
The Minister formally reported that the Committee had made further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2015/2016 financial year and requested leave to sit again the following day.

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9 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)

Members raised concerns about the progress and impact of the Infocomm Media Masterplan, the need to nurture local ICT talent—including women and older professionals—and strategies to grow startups and create high-value jobs for Singaporeans.
Questions were posed on the government’s new dedicated telecoms network for public sector use, including its cost, security rationale, and potential future sale, as well as the rollout and quality of 4G services and indoor coverage standards.
The new Cybersecurity Agency (CSA) was welcomed, with MPs seeking updates on its transition, coordination with other security bodies, and plans to protect critical sectors and educate businesses and citizens on cyber threats.
Suggestions were made to strengthen the media and creative industries through right-sized support for micro-entrepreneurs, local content quotas, and design innovation, alongside concerns about protecting vulnerable consumers from unscrupulous premium-rate services.
Members emphasized the need for better government digital services usability and asked how MCI plans to help public agencies develop citizen-centric e-services that meet user expectations.

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9 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head M (Ministry of Finance)

Several MPs expressed concern about the rapid growth of the public sector and its manpower needs, questioning how the government would manage sustainable growth without squeezing the private sector, and suggested leveraging retired officers and improving e-services.
The Senior Minister of State outlined strategies to address manpower constraints, including inter-agency coordination, investing in training, leveraging technology like virtual assistants, and community partnerships like the Pioneer Generation Ambassadors programme.
Questions were raised on wealth inequality, tax policies, and support for SMEs and non-profits, with the ministry highlighting progressive wealth taxes, competitive tax regimes, and initiatives to increase SME participation in government procurement.

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9 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head V (Ministry of Trade and Industry)

Members highlighted the rising cost of doing business for SMEs, particularly high manpower and rental expenses, and called for more targeted support, streamlined assistance through a single agency, and fairer access to grants and innovation credits.
The debate emphasized the need to strengthen trade associations and industry collaboration, with proposals for a Trade Association Hub and enhanced capability development grants to help SMEs, especially in traditional sectors, innovate and internationalize.
The Ministry responded by outlining strategies to support SMEs, including simplified grant applications, extended support for capability development, promotion of e-commerce, and improved consumer protection measures, while noting ongoing efforts to monitor business costs and market transparency.

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9 Mar 2015

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

The Parliament convened to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 on the 3rd Allotted Day in the Committee of Supply.
The Speaker chaired the proceedings and guided the Committee through the formal order for consideration of the budget estimates.
The debate focused on the examination and approval of government spending plans for the specified financial year.
No substantive policy speeches were presented in the provided excerpt, as the session began with procedural formalities.
The discussions were confined to the procedural aspects of the Committee of Supply process for the budget estimates.

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6 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

Mr Lim Hng Kiang sought and received consent to move that progress be reported and to adjourn the session until Monday, 9 March 2015.
The Chairman resolved that progress be reported and leave be asked to sit again on the specified date.
Mr Lim Hng Kiang formally reported that the Committee of Supply had made further progress on the 2015/2016 Estimates.
The Deputy Speaker acknowledged the report, and the session was adjourned.

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6 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head V (Ministry of Trade and Industry)

The debate emphasized the need for Singapore to restructure its economy towards productivity-driven growth, with a focus on reducing reliance on foreign labor and investing in innovation, R&D, and skills development through initiatives like SkillsFuture.
Key growth sectors identified include manufacturing, services, logistics, and tourism, with plans to enhance infrastructure, support SMEs through grants and internationalization schemes, and address energy security through LNG expansion.
Concerns were raised about uneven productivity improvements across sectors, the impact of automation on jobs, and the need for clearer benchmarks and incentives to motivate businesses and workers to adopt productivity measures.

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6 Mar 2015

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

The Ministry of Defence presented its expenditure estimates for the financial year from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, detailing its budget allocation for defense readiness and capabilities.
Several Members of Parliament questioned the ministry on its spending priorities, particularly regarding investments in new defense technology and the upkeep of existing military assets.
The Ministry of Defence explained that the budget was carefully calibrated to maintain a strong and credible deterrence while being fiscally responsible and supporting the well-being of Singapore Armed Forces personnel.
The debates highlighted the importance of investing in both conventional and cyber defense capabilities to address evolving security threats in the region.
The Committee of Supply ultimately approved the ministry's expenditure estimates after considering the clarifications provided by the Minister.

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