The 2021 budget was passed in the House of Representatives last evening with 22 government votes.

The entire Opposition bench abstained from the vote, saying it could not, in good conscience, support a budget which will inflict pain on the most vulnerable in society.

“The government has refused to account to the people over the billions of dollars spent in the last fiscal year. This is in complete contradiction to the responsibility of the government to be transparent in how public funds are used,” a statement from the Opposition said on Thursday. 

It alleged that the Budget presentation read by the Finance Minister on October 5th was “oppressive” and favored government’s friends, family and financiers.

“From property tax to motor vehicle taxes, to measures that would lead to more job losses and
loss of income for people, the opposition could never support such oppressive backward
policies,” the Opposition said. 

The House was adjourned at a date to be fixed.