NSG Senate Chamber: I came, I saw, I cleaned up after myself

[Britanno 2]

"Surely responsibility for the maintenance of roads and bridges belongs to the Transport ministry?"

[Britanno 2]

Motion to extend debate by 24 hours.

[Lykens]

"Surely responsibility for the maintenance of roads and bridges belongs to the Transport ministry?"

"Which is why it's part of the funding for the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport."

[The Sarian]

Still be interested in the Honourable Gentleman going through each department.

[Britanno 2]

"Surely responsibility for the maintenance of roads and bridges belongs to the Transport ministry?"

"Which is why it's part of the funding for the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport."

OOC: Wasn't your response to Ark basically saying that capital spending should be spent on maintenance and not new roads? I'm probably confused because I've had a few beers, so apologies if I've got it wrong.

[Lykens]

"Surely responsibility for the maintenance of roads and bridges belongs to the Transport ministry?"

"Which is why it's part of the funding for the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport."

"I actually mispoke. It's the Ministry of Transport, Public Works, and Urban Development. Same job though."

"Which is why it's part of the funding for the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport."

OOC: Wasn't your response to Ark basically saying that capital spending should be spent on maintenance and not new roads? I'm probably confused because I've had a few beers, so apologies if I've got it wrong.

To the lobby.

[Atlanticatia]

"The capital spending for the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport has increased by two hundred million dollars from the last budget passed by the O'Hara Administration

"No it hasn't, and total investment spending was in fact cut by $200 million. Can the government tell us where these cuts are being made and why the capital spending budget is being cut?"

as the previous Marino Administration absolutely butchered whatever they attempted to do.

"That's very rich coming from a member of a government that is prepared to cut the investment budget and only increase the welfare budget by ~3%-- compared to Marino's promise of 30% more capital spending and twice the increase in welfare."

"It's quite rich coming from a member of the New Democrats, as the short-lived Marino Government introduced a budget that would have gutted public spending on health care. It's quite rich to claim the Government is not making enough social investment when we have increased real spending on services - health, education, and welfare - by more than 8 percent.
This Government has taken an investment approach to public services. The Public Services and Opportunity Act, for example, invests hundreds of millions of dollars in a youth guarantee, and much more in free before- and after- school childcare, and in free school meals.

The welfare state is not about just increasing benefits as much as possible.
It's also about giving people hand up, not just a hand out, which is why we chose to invest money in a youth guarantee - to ensure no young person is out of work, education, or training for more than 4 months. Doesn't it makes more sense to invest in young people's skills and employment, to give them a fair chance to get into a good career - rather than continuously increasing the unemployment benefit?

I'd also like to make the honourable member aware that real capital spending on infrastructure, transport, and public works is getting a hefty $800 million increase in the budget. But frankly I can't seem to justify spending another billion on capital for the military. We don't need to continuously build up our military with new capital every term."

[Britanno 2]

"Is the government saying that it purchased all the new equipment the military needed in the O'Hara terms?"

[Arkolon]

"I thank the Honorable Member for bringing my error to my attention. The capital spending for Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport was in fact increased by one point two billion dollars, while capital spending for defense was ended, as our esteemed Minister of Defense, David Vera Cruz has worked tirelessly to procure a modern and up to date military to serve Calaverde."

"You have not answered my questions, Mr Diaz. Could you try that again?"

"I have already addressed your point."

"I don't think you have, Mr Diaz-- how can you defend a budget that spends considerably less in important departments compared to a budget that promised us more? We were all hoping this government would shine a lot brighter than the one Marino led-- it seems that, in fact, this one is dimmer than ever."

"So from what I am hearing, the Honorable Member would prefer to let already existing infrastructure to crumble and decay, just to build new things? My grandfather was a very frugal person while I was growing up, and he was always quite fond of saying that if something is broken and damaged, you fix it, you don't go and buy new things to make the old damaged things disappear. I am sure the people would be more concerned by the possibility of a bridge collapsing while driving over it rather than the postponement of new ones."

"Where on earth did you get any of that from, Mr Diaz? I just told you why building new connections to grow our economy and act as more of a multiplier was the priority of capital spending, not the act of building the roads themselves. But if an excercise in pedantry is what you so wish for, I'm sure you understand our common tongue well enough to realise that - surprise surprise - building a new road, even if it's on top of an old one, is still building a new road. You have come close to the line of slander here, Mr Diaz, accusing me of things I have not ever said-- things you have made up. Here's to hoping your political career lasts as long as your contributions to this parliament-- which is to say, I don't know why you're still here."

[The Sarian]

Still be interested in the Honourable Gentleman going through each department.

[Ikania]

"I'll second the motion to extend debate, this seems to be a contentious matter. But as the Minister of Education, I am quite satisfied with the level of funding for this integral department of our nation's government. I think the spending plan is fine, and we have balanced the budget quite well."

[Electrum]

Why is this budget so late?

What are you funding for each department? Could we see more details?

Why are we running another deficit budget? Surely we need to start paying our way through our debt, so we can save up for another recession in the future and live within our means?

[Heraklea-]

"Is the government saying that it purchased all the new equipment the military needed in the O'Hara terms?"

"No, simply that we have reached a point where a more standard maintenance and replace as needed point with our military equipment has been reached. If we need any further special procurements, we will be submitting a military appropriation bill at that time.

[Ikania]

"Know what, I retract that second. I'm not entirely confident a productive discussion will emerge from this tremendously partisan chamber. I'd recommend the opposition take a closer look at the budget, there are no discernible issues."

[Ainin]

Motion to extend debate by 24 hours.

"This motion is out of order as today is Saturday and an extension of debate would pre-empt this week's vote. As such, it conflicts with Section 3e of the Parliamentary Presidium Act."

[Mollary]

"I agree with my honorable friend that we should not be running a deficit at this time of massive expansion, we should be saving in order to have funds for the future, and ensure the long term viability of our welfare state, we will not always have the luxury of large quarter on quarter growth and a relatively young population."

[Arkolon]

"It's quite rich coming from a member of the New Democrats, as the short-lived Marino Government introduced a budget that would have gutted public spending on health care. It's quite rich to claim the Government is not making enough social investment when we have increased real spending on services - health, education, and welfare - by more than 8 percent.

"When revenues increased by 12%, the Marino government promised to transfer some healthcare spending from the public to the private sector, a welfare spending increase twice the size of yours, education spending growth at a similar rate to yours, and a 30% increase in capital spending that is not an accomplishment, Mr Prime Minister. That is a let-down."

"This Government has taken an investment approach to public services. The Public Services and Opportunity Act, for example, invests hundreds of millions of dollars in a youth guarantee, and much more in free before- and after- school childcare, and in free school meals."

"I wasn't aware the PSOA was being debated. Oh, wait, it isn't. Can the Right Honourable Prime Minister stick within the bounds of relevancy-- in the collective interest of the Parliament before him?"

The welfare state is not about just increasing benefits as much as possible.
It's also about giving people hand up, not just a hand out, which is why we chose to invest money in a youth guarantee - to ensure no young person is out of work, education, or training for more than 4 months. Doesn't it makes more sense to invest in young people's skills and employment, to give them a fair chance to get into a good career - rather than continuously increasing the unemployment benefit?

OOC: Yeah, look, I'm not going to bother with this one. We had a similar plan to that in the works and we had absolutely no plans whatsoever to 'continuously' increase unemployment benefits. This isn't an argument against me or my policies, it is against an imaginary person with imaginary beliefs and imaginary policies you made up.

I'd also like to make the honourable member aware that real capital spending on infrastructure, transport, and public works is getting a hefty $800 million increase in the budget. But frankly I can't seem to justify spending another billion on capital for the military. We don't need to continuously build up our military with new capital every term."

"As I said before, $800 million is a meagre sum in comparison to what the Marino government offered and especially between this budget and O'Hara's! In fact, negating the healthcare transition and military cuts, your government budget is in fact smaller than Marino's! You trashed them for being too neoliberal, too right-wing, but your budget epitomises just that. What do you have to say for yourself, your government, and the people you let down?

As for military spending, perhaps a whole other billion is unnecessary, but why did this government go from 100% to 0% in its commitment to military investments? Why were these cuts not phased in, and is the Prime Minister denying that there is a need for more military investments? With the threat of terrorism lurking around every corner, why are we not spending more money to make more investments to combat them? Does the Prime Minister not have the safety of his citizenry on his mind? If so, why is he making them more vulnerable by not equipping our military to keep them safe?

This budget does not scream "confidence" to me, Mr Prime Minister. It screams "last minute", and it may very well be the reason you are about to live your own last minute as Head of this Government."

[Heraklea-]

"Mr. Speaker, I'm afraid I will be out of the chamber for the vote tomorrow. As such, I ask that you allow Mr. Ohara (Beta Test) to vote for myself and my esteemed colleague, Ms. Castillo (Osea 767)."

[Electrum]

"Mr. Speaker, I'm afraid I will be out of the chamber for the vote tomorrow. As such, I ask that you allow Mr. Ohara (Beta Test) to vote for myself and my esteemed colleague, Ms. Castillo (Osea 767)."

One person voting for three? I mean, I'd be alright with just O'Hara voting for you, but not for Castillo.

[Lykens]

"Mr. Speaker, I'm afraid I will be out of the chamber for the vote tomorrow. As such, I ask that you allow Mr. Ohara (Beta Test) to vote for myself and my esteemed colleague, Ms. Castillo (Osea 767)."

One person voting for three? I mean, I'd be alright with just O'Hara voting for you, but not for Castillo.

Good thing you aren't speaker.

[The Sarian]

My concern is that <Osea 767> has asked David Vera Cruz to vote as a proxy on a permanent basis, surely that should be just a temporary thing. Or else I can just ask all the FDP Members to let me vote on their behalf - save everyone lots of time.

[Lykens]

My concern is that <Osea 767> has asked David Vera Cruz to vote as a proxy on a permanent basis, surely that should be just a temporary thing. Or else I can just ask all the FDP Members to let me vote on their behalf - save everyone lots of time.

The Health Minister is having health issues. Your members choose not to vote

[The Sarian]

My concern is that <Osea 767> has asked David Vera Cruz to vote as a proxy on a permanent basis, surely that should be just a temporary thing. Or else I can just ask all the FDP Members to let me vote on their behalf - save everyone lots of time.

The Health Minister is having health issues. Your members choose not to vote

Funny, we have more voters than you, Mr Diaz. If I get them all to grant me proxy it'd be fantastic.

[Lykens]

The Health Minister is having health issues. Your members choose not to vote

Funny, we have more voters than you, Mr Diaz. If I get them all to grant me proxy it'd be fantastic.

Can't do much with a lot of them if they don't vote, Madame President.

[Argentarino]

"I ask my Honorable and Right Honorable colleagues to focus on the bill at hand, if they would be so kind. Furthermore, I support the spending levels for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The funds will go to the maintenance of embassies, consulates, and the services they provide, as well as individual outreach programs for investors hosted by individual embassies, though these programs are in their infant stage and are still being worked on."