1. The 2013-14 Budget
The 2013-14 Budget, unveiled by Financial Secretary, adopted various recommendations from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA) on supporting SMEs and the middle class, and on improving people’s livelihood. Based on the principle of fiscal prudence, we agree to the Government’s introduction of one-off relief measures. However, as the first budget of the new administration, it does not meet the expectations on farsighted financial plans to boost economic growth. The Government should devote more resources to strengthen the pillar industries, vitalize the traditional industries and develop the new industries. Only by promoting economic development can Hong Kong continue to improve people’s livelihood, and to maintain financial stability.
The 2013-14 Budget:
http://www.budget.gov.hk/2013/eng/speech.html
2. Amendment to the motion “Implementing Dual Universal Suffrage”
I moved an amendment to the motion “Implementing Dual Universal Suffrage” on 20 February at the LegCo meeting. As the timetable for implementing universal suffrage has not come by easily, I urged the Government to reserve sufficient time to conduct extensive consultation on the methods for the election of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2017 and the election of the Legislative Council in 2016; and in the report on constitutional reform to be submitted by the CE to NPCSC, to truthfully and fully reflect the views of the general public. I appealed to the various social sectors and political parties, with a rational and accommodating attitude of seeking common ground while reserving differences, strive to forge social consensus in the process, and join hands to promote and achieve the aim of dual universal suffrage.
3. Developing a new North Lantau
I delivered my speech on the motion “Developing a new North Lantau” on 6 February and pointed out that the Government should expedite the formulation of a comprehensive Lantau development plan with due consideration on: clear planning concept and positioning; new opportunities brought by collaboration with the Pan Pearl River Delta cities; transport links for both the land and the sea; the need of human resources; and environment impact assessment and public consultation.
4. Energy saving initiatives in new public housing developments
On 8 Feb, Secretary for Transport and Housing Bureau briefed LegCo members on the energy saving initiatives in new public housing developments. I asked if the Housing Authority (HA) will consider requiring their contractors and suppliers to adopt ISO 50001 or other environment protection certifications, so as to promote energy saving and energy reduction in the tendering or procurement process. The authority responded that the HA has adopted environment protection certifications step by step. Apart from the new estates, the HA will implement energy saving measures in the old estates as well to help combat climate change and global warming.
5. Promotion of e-learning
I raised a follow-up question regarding the promotion of e-learning in schools. Views from many schools reflected that in-house IT support is strongly needed for the development of e-learning. I was concerned whether sufficient resources had been made available to the schools to support the recruitment and retention of competent in-house IT staff. The administration responded that various models would be adopted to provide technical support services in accordance with needs and priorities of the schools. For instance, an option of resolving such problem could be outsourcing IT services to third party suppliers.