Parliament has approved the 2008 Budget for the government after a 9-day debate. Various programmes and initiatives were also unveiled, including full healthcare subsidies for Singaporeans earning S$3,000 and below if admitted to B2 or C-class wards, enhanced public assistance schemes to help needy Singaporeans and a new Terminal 4 at Changi Airport.
The debates which continued from March 3rd follow the conclusion of debate on Budget 2008. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in his round-up speech, took time to explain and address the concerns raised by MPs over the past two days over rising costs and inflation as well as the need to raise or even have the GST.
He stressed that the Budget underlines the basic ethic of sustaining Singapore while aspiring to help and uplift the less fortunate members of society. The challenge ahead is to keep the economy productive and vibrant, and society resilient and caring, not just now or for a few years, but for many years to come.
The sitting on 6 March also saw two bills being passed - the Internationally Protected Persons Bill and the Workplace Safety and Health (Amendment) Bill, while an amendment to the Economic Development Board Bill was introduced in the House.
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ComCare sets aside S$1m to help the needy cope with inflation Updated: Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:23:34 GMT
SINGAPORE: At least S$1 million will be set aside from the ComCare Fund to help the needy cope with inflation, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon said on Sunday. Full Story
In moving the Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs) Bill, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zainul Abidin Rasheed proposed to effect the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against IPPs. This will extend Singapore’s territorial jurisdiction to deal with offences against IPPs and strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation between Singapore and other countries. play
