Landmark 2011 Budget approved by National Parliament given “all clear” by Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeal
The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, February 14, 2011
Landmark 2011 Budget approved by National Parliament given “all clear” by Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeal.
The 2011 State Budget of Timor-Leste, passed by National Parliament on the 28th of January, has been deemed constitutional by the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals. The appeal process followed thirteen days of in depth debate in the parliament conducted transparently and televised to the public.
The scene is now set for major investments into national infrastructure and human capacity needed to fast track development.
The 2011 budget is the first to look at funding the kind of multi-year investments now required in Timor-Leste to accelerate national development. Two new funds were established to facilitate this progress: the Infrastructure Fund and the Human Capacity Development Fund. The 2011 budget represents the largest budget in Timor-Leste’s history. As a matter of prudence, the Budget was presented to the Court for review.
After a five day period of consultation, the court issued an opinion on the 11th of February, confirming that the Budget Law for 2011 is within the mandates as defined in the RDTL constitution.
After the Parliament’s last vote approving the 2011 Budget, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, reflecting profound national sentiment, stated: as we see the world today, people crying for democracy, this thirteen-day budget debate we have just had, open to the public and broadcasted through television and radio, proves that our people have all the reasons to be proud of their democratic institutions. Indeed, we all ought to be proud of our Nation’s democracy.
Spokesperson Ágio Pereira noted “the scrutiny of the Budget process, including the review of the Court of Appeals, are valued elements of the democratic freedoms we now enjoy and a sign of enhanced capacity of all Institutions since the Gusmão Government took office. This year, the process of budget scrutiny and debate had strong participation of all stakeholders, including our civil society and media. The inquiry into the scope and complexity of this landmark Budget, designed to facilitate the steady national development of our nation has been encouraging and deeply rooted in our sense of national pride. The Xanana Gusmão Government carries a sense of great responsibility to now effect advanced change which will improve the lives of our citizens in 2011 and beyond.”
