Craig Stephen's This Week in China

Feb. 20, 2011, 10:21 p.m. EST
Hong Kong budget in focus
Commentary: Is only the government getting richer?

By Craig Stephen

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary will present next year’s budget on Wednesday and is expected to reveal another bumper budget surplus. But this cash pile is likely to be viewed as an embarrassment of riches rather than evidence of good housekeeping.

This unplanned surplus is estimated at around HK$60 billion ($7.7 billion) to $80 billion. Meanwhile, the Exchange Fund that contains all Hong Kong’s accumulated fiscal savings and investment earnings now tops in excess of HK$1.26 trillion.

The problem for the Hong Kong government is it may be getting richer, but many of its citizens complain they are feeling poorer. Rising inflation, a pegged currency that has rapidly lost its purchasing power, widening income inequality and some of the highest property prices in the world all add up to a feel-bad factor.

These issues are perhaps not new, but are put sharply into focus by current flashpoints around the world over not dissimilar complaints. And Hong Kong also has an unelected administration that is criticized for increasingly being seen to govern for the interests of big business.

One recurring bone of contention is over what to do with this growing fiscal surplus. Popular requests are for the government to get serious tackling Hong Kong’s pollution problem or to just return monies to taxpayers. But the government seems resigned to sit on these reserves, apart from spending on China-related transport infrastructure projects.

New transport links are justified to support Hong Kong’s pre-eminent position in the Pearl River Delta. Today, that seems more than anything, to mean shoring up its position as a duty-free shopping Mecca for mainland tourists.

Hong Kong’s retail and tourism sectors have had a bonanza on the back of surging mainland visitors. Retail sales rose by 41.9% on 3-month annualized trend in the fourth quarter of 2010, up from 23.1% in the third quarter. In 2010, tourist numbers grew 21.8% to 36 million, supported by the weaker Hong Kong dollar. Some 63% of these visitors were from China, according to data cited by Macquarie Equities.

Next week, Thailand will release its fourth-quarter gross domestic product data, Hong Kong is set to report a budget surplus for the current fiscal year, and we'll see the latest report on Japan's core consumer prices.

The attraction for mainland tourists is Hong Kong offers a convenient tax-free shopping trip for watches, jewelry and high-end brands. Moreover, they now come armed with a currency which has risen by 20% against the Hong Kong dollar since 2007. In fact, so prolific are the big spending mainland shoppers, a friend recently complained shop assistants now shun you if they hear Cantonese, rather than Putonghua being spoken.

Shopping by mainland tourists now also extends to buying Hong Kong property. Last year some figures suggested mainlanders were buying at least 35% of new residential sales.

But is this growth at the expense of Hong Kong? There have been complaints that sales to mainland buyers help push property prices beyond the reach of locals. This is not a unique problem to Hong Kong. Last week authorities in Beijing announced home purchases there would be restricted to domestic residents or to those who have paid tax for five years. When a similar policy was mooted in Hong Kong it was dismissed as an affront to free market principles.

Another issue is whether Hong Kong is getting a fair return for this focus on tax-free shopping tourism as a pillar of the economy. How long would it take for China to set up its own duty-free centre?

A related issue is the amount of money being spent on various infrastructure links bringing Hong Kong closer into the southern China Delta. Here, the government appears to have a limitless budget.

Hong Kong has already had controversy over plans to build a new 26-kilometre, HK$66.9 billion high-speed railway link between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Some also question the value in a bridge to Macau. Last week it was announced the government is set to green light a new 17-kilometer cross-harbor link from satellite town Shatin in the New Territories to Central, costing $60 billion.

These links help whisk mainland visitors directly into congested downtown Central Hong Kong and more shopping. But the gains for Hong Kong residents who are paying for this infrastructure are less clear. The weakening of the dollar versus the yuan also makes reciprocal trips over the border less popular.

It is widely expected that to counter some of the pains from rising prices there will be a few giveaway sweeteners in the budget. But that looks like a sticker plaster on this myriad of underlying tensions. As Hong Kong gets more closely integrated with China, it appears increasingly less on equal terms. One way forward here would be to hurry up and peg the Hong Kong dollar to the yuan.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-kong-budget-in-focus-this-week-2011-02-20

The points raised are valid enough, I find the point about the Cantonese v Mandarin esp interesting. So many relatives/friends of mine say even HKers in HK are increasingly "mo deng kei".

As for the budget, it should be a job of the government to use the money it receives to serve the people. Programs can be instated so that the surplus is trimmed to lets say $1 billion. The problem, of course, is that a government is not as flexible as a company, and social programs have a tendency to spiral out of control. We all know once you give people a fish, it is very difficult to take it back.

期待預算案勿止於派糖

【明報專訊】財政司長曾俊華今日發表下年度財政預算案，在巨額盈餘、政府儲備充盈情下，派糖紓解民困，特別是通脹重臨，如何協助貧困市民紓解生活壓力，成為政府應有之義。不過，審視預算案是否切合香港實際需要，肯定超乎派糖紓民困，要視乎預算案會否提出在增強本港競爭力、開拓新增長點等方面，使人耳目一新的舉措。




派糖只屬末節


須撥資源推動經濟發展


香港背靠大陸，盡得中國經濟迅猛發展的好處；本年度在美國、日本為經濟復蘇發愁，歐洲為一些國家債務危機緊縮、人民勒緊皮帶之際，港府在財政方面卻大豐收，由原來估計252億元赤字，反而有約700億元的巨額盈餘。歐美各國在為節約開支、開拓財政來源，殫精竭慮，港府卻有花錢的煩惱，要為如何善用巨額盈餘絞盡腦汁。這是兩幅完全不同的景象，歐美政府、官員對特區港府的財政情，肯定羨慕不已。


今年，本港市民對預算案的期待，有兩個層次，一是期望政府有短期措施，協助市民渡過通脹重臨的日子；二是期望政府有長遠政策措施，善用巨額盈餘和儲備，推動香港經濟發展。


曾蔭權接任行政長官、特別是2007年連任以來，已經多次派糖，涉及超過1000億元，政府的一次過派糖做法，可謂駕輕就熟，相信今次也走不出這個模式。這次預算案保密程度甚高，或許與預期管理有關，以免刺激起市民的預期加碼膨脹。即使如此，人們預期今次派糖仍然是一次過方式，不會對政府財政構成長期負擔，以過去政府的招數，不外在公屋租金、多發綜援、電費津貼、減免差餉、寬減薪俸稅或者退稅等手，以祈做到最大多數人受惠，收皆大歡喜之效。


不過，檢視預算案良窳，不在市民「吃糖」後給政府多大掌聲。在財政充盈下，預算案若無提出長遠政策措施，涉及下列3方面事情，則這樣的預算案，仍然不值得讚賞。


首先，預算案須撥出資源推動經濟發展。別的姑且不論，就說曾蔭權提出的6項優勢產業，已經兩年多了，但是未見政府有何具體配套措施，使優勢產業乘風而起，成為本港經濟的新增長點。


事實上，去年4月，中國社會科學院發表的《2010年中國城市競爭力藍皮書：中國城市競爭力報告》，提到香港面臨3大挑戰，（1）技術創新不足、人才嚴重流失；（2）面臨內地和國際城市競爭；（3）全球產業升級較快，香港產業升級相對緩慢，競爭優勢下降。另外，近年新加坡在強化競爭力，新增長點的開拓不遺餘力，在全球多項競爭力排名中，新加坡超越香港，已是不爭事實。


日前，新加坡發表下年度預算案，未來5年撥款25億坡元（伸約150億港元），通過新加坡經濟發展局的「經濟發展支援計劃」，加強新加坡作為亞洲企業總部及高增值活動樞紐的地位。另外，星洲在開拓新產業不乏新思維，例如在預算案中，提到要發展存放藝術品和古董等高價值收藏品的特殊倉儲設施業務，有關服務可以享受零消費稅率。這些情，說明新加坡積極強化競爭力的目標和努力，至為明顯。


香港在競爭力已經呈現落後之勢，政府若無長遠政策措施應對，香港勢必在全球競爭大潮中落後。預算案會否撥出資源強化競爭力，開拓經濟新增長點，是檢視準則之一。


其次，財政預算案會否宣示政府切實負起應對樓市泡沫的責任，是檢驗預算案是否切合香港利益的另一個準則。樓價升，已經脫離一般市民的負擔能力，觸發仇富、仇商情緒，貧富懸殊等深層次矛盾，更形深化，政府有責任推出措施，使矛盾降溫，並紓解樓市泡沫爆破時對市民和經濟的危害。本港樓市之扭曲，源於供求失衡，這次預算案，期望曾俊華會提出一套完整的土地房屋政策，由政府主導土地供應，復建居屋，以逐步理順樓市，使之納入正軌全健康穩定地發展。


第三，預算案要提出新思維，應對本港發展面對的問題。例如本港稅基狹窄，不利長遠發展，今年若寬減薪俸稅或增加免稅額，將有更多人跌出稅網，使狹窄的稅基更惡化。現屆政府毋須為多做一屆而畏首畏尾，應為下屆政府想，認真檢視擴闊稅基的問題，使本港稅制趨向較公平合理。


應提政策方向討論


為下任政府做好鋪墊


預算案本來並非主要提出政策方針的文件，這個角色應該由施政報告擔當，但是這些年施政報告於政策範疇乏善足陳，因此寄望預算案有適當補充，證諸過去兩年於土地政策，施政報告無作為，反而預算案提出應對措施。所以，我們寄望預算案提出一些政策方向，引發討論，例如在土地開發和供應方面要有新思維，包括是否在維港以外填海等，都是值得討論的議題。


這一屆政府雖然還有1年4個月任滿，但是施政不應以此為限，因為特區政府是持續的，現屆政府的工作未完成，由下一任政府接力。所以，曾蔭權政府不應以任內未能完成，就不提出新政策構思。我們認為，曾蔭權政府應該破除「看守政府」甚或「跛腳鴨政府」的心態，積極主動開展一些政策討論，為下任政府做好鋪墊工作。

O7Nehi0Viio

撥 1.1億請大學生補習

2011年02月24日

【本報訊】當局將撥 1.1億元推行為期三年的先導計劃，安排港大、中大、浸大、教院和公大的教育課程學生，到清貧學生較多的小學，為領取綜援和全額書簿津貼的成績稍遜學生補習，料數萬人受惠，最快新學年推行。每名導師每周將到校二至三小時，以小組形式補習。
消息人士指這既可為準教師提供體驗機會，清貧學生也可免費補習，會由院校負責推行。根據非政府機構的同類計劃，每人每小時成本約 250元，當局規定院校收取行政費不可多於一成，即每名補習導師時薪料可獲 225元。


需入息審查資助放寬
教院學生會會長蔡雋豪表示，不少同學反應積極，「好多同學補習每個鐘都係得 90至 100蚊」。在理大修讀語文的戚小姐認為，當局不應只優先聘用教育課程學生，要求開放供所有大學生申請。
有 101名清貧學生的鮮魚行學校校長梁紀昌說：「好多基層家長工作時間長，又冇咁高知識水平可以幫仔女。」該校本學年起獲志願機構安排港大學生為其學生補習，但資源所限只有 32名學生受惠。
此外，當局提出新學年起放寬各項需入息審查的資助計劃的入息上限，料獲全額資助者將由 11萬增至 19萬人，每年經常開支增 3億元。當局又會縮減適用於專上學生的 17個助學金資助級別，減至不多於 10個，料 2.2萬人可獲較多助學金；每人將獲得新增、不多於 1,000元的額外助學金，以添置電腦等學習器材，每年開支約 4.800萬元。

曾俊華理財哲學欠奉
只懂派錢多寡　欠缺長遠承擔

【本報訊】香港政府窮得只剩下 5,916億元儲備──是技窮的窮。財政司司長曾俊華昨日公佈任內最後一份完整覆蓋其任期的預算案；學者認為，過去四年他除重申「大市場、小政府」外，沒展示過清晰的理財哲學，年年糾纏於一次性派糖的爭論，沒利用巨額盈餘的條件，解決香港貧富懸殊、經濟轉型等問題，「幾年後睇番，香港可能錯失咗一次機會」。
記者：陳沛敏　林俊謙

特區政府明年 7月 1日換屆，曾俊華明年此時公佈的最後一份預算案，名義上覆蓋的只有三個月屬本屆政府任內範圍。但昨日曾俊華第四份預算案一出，市民嘲諷財爺「無能而治」、「藏富於官」之聲此起彼落。學者比較含蓄，科技大學經濟系教授雷鼎鳴形容曾俊華的理財哲學「冇乜性格」；中文大學政治與行政學系副教授馬嶽索性說：「睇唔到佢有理財哲學呢樣嘢，只係小修小補。」

港英時代， 1961至 1971年的財政司郭伯偉提出「有限政府」；繼任的夏鼎基巧妙地運用文字，給香港政府的經濟政策及公共財政原則定名為「積極不干預」。改朝換代，國際環境和香港社會變了又變，但直至昨日的曾俊華，歷任財爺仍不忘在預算案重申「大市場，小政府」。
回顧曾俊華至今四份預算案，卻看不出他有應對香港長遠發展的理財哲學。 08年他在首份預算案提及三大理財信念：社會承擔、可持續性和務實取態；如今看來，非常空泛。那年政府坐擁逾 1,100億元盈餘，當時仍被視為下任特首熱門人選之一的曾俊華，大手筆「派糖」，納稅人和商界獲退稅、減稅；綜援戶、長者出「雙糧」。但由那時開始，曾俊華已不作任何須長遠承諾的措施。
有趣的是，那時香港同樣面對通脹問題， 08至 09年度通脹預測高達 4.5%，是 11年來的新高；但當時曾俊華大幅退稅，昨日的他卻以不想刺激通脹為由不作退稅。
08年下半年爆發金融海嘯後，曾俊華於 09年第二份預算案繼續以退稅、減差餉等一次性措施應付過去。去年他紓緩中產困難的板斧，依然是退稅、減差餉，協助基層又是公屋免租、綜援發雙糧等短期措施，對付樓市泡沫蜻蜓點水，解決貧窮問題空洞無力，被學者、議員批評是一份無助解決社會深層次矛盾的「等收工」預算案。
因此，最新一份預算案的「創舉」，是曾俊華任內唯一一次不退稅。除此以外，他只是繼續沿用多項一次性派糖措施。

恒生管理學院商學院院長蘇偉文批評，曾俊華不敢觸碰稅制改革等問題，每年都陷入為派多少糖討價還價的局面，很不健康。馬嶽指出，曾俊華沒有利用政府財政充裕的條件，作教育等社會投資，提高香港的競爭力和生產力。雷鼎鳴指出，曾俊華沒針對香港的問題提出解決方法，香港過去十多年的經濟基本上是停滯，「你睇家大學畢業生，起薪點同十多年前有乜分別？」

被指 Hea做　財爺谷血上腦

2011年02月24日

財政司司長曾俊華公佈任內第四份預算案，外界劣評如潮，他在記者會被問及是否抱着看守政府心態「 hea做」預算時，如被刺中死穴般，激動滿臉通紅反駁，揚言從沒有像他如此進取的「看守政府」，到晚上面對電子傳媒追問，則改以答非所問策略逃避問題。


自詡進取　否認看守政府
曾俊華昨日向立法會宣讀預算案時，已遭不少議員譏笑是「翻炒」之作，連同僚政制及內地事務局局長林瑞麟也難以自控地在鏡頭前呼呼入睡。到下午的記者會，曾俊華本欲藉此再推銷預算案，怎知傳媒集中追問他為何不退稅，有記者更指預算案不受基層、中產支持，問他是否抱着等退休及「看守政府」心態，「 hea做」這份預算案，曾即激動得滿臉通紅，只拋下一句「我從未見過一個咁進取嘅看守政府」回應，事後政府發出的新聞稿，更將問題中的「 hea做」刪去。

曾俊華昨晚出席電視直播論壇時改變策略，企圖以笑容面對窮追猛打，但繼續答非所問。無綫記者要求交代過往數年退稅如何推高通脹率，財爺卻解釋錯估今年通脹率的原因，記者再追問他也不肯正面回應，只重申退稅必定刺激通脹。至於會否購買 I-bond，他不置可否，只答「到時考慮吓」。

將來要入岩洞打波睇表演

2011年02月24日


【本報訊】本港土地有限，政府把岩洞也納入開發目標。財政司司長曾俊華在預算案中透露，土木工程拓展署下月完成報告，將確定開發岩洞為可用空間，並擬用作污水處理廠、文娛中心或體育館，然後把原址騰出作房屋及其他用途。


探討維港以外填海
土木署補充說，報告的研究結果會展開諮詢，初步研究顯示符合《香港規劃標準與準則》的規定。可重置於岩洞內的設施包括污水處理廠、配水庫、文娛中心、室內運動場及體育館等。該署又說，本港地勢多山，地質堅固，約 80%為火成岩，即火山岩及花崗岩，特別適合作大規模的岩洞發展，尤其在市區邊緣地帶。
另外，該署探討在維港以外適度填海，具體地點需要經過詳細研究才可決定。以往曾被考慮的填海地點也會重新檢視，但該署強調會讓公眾參與，和市民建立共識後才落實。
此外，水務署位於旺角洗衣街的辦事處為新界西辦事處，現正考慮搬遷至新界西區。洗衣街辦事處的內部樓面面積總數約為 4,600平方米，搬遷後騰出土地可供其他發展。
曾俊華又說，啟德發展計劃內的啟德政府辦公大樓，會帶動區內的商業辦公室發展，與觀塘和九龍灣前工業區，將會轉型成為寫字樓地帶。

沙田靚地建 700置安心單位


2011年02月24日


【本報訊】政府去年推出「置安心」計劃，資助一半租金協助未能置業的夾心家庭「上車」，首先公佈推出青衣青綠街項目。事隔五個月，港府公佈第二個置安心項目，將在沙田私樓帝堡城旁興建 700個實而不華的中小型單位。有地產代理表示，該地段環境清幽，新樓落成後景觀開揚，相信會受到歡迎。


不設會所泳池
財政司司長曾俊華昨日宣佈在沙田展開另一個置安心項目。政府消息人士表示，該項目毗鄰私樓帝堡城，佔地 2.46公頃，估計可興建 700個面積 400至 600平方呎的中小型單位。香港神託會培基書院目前以短期租約形式租用該地，命名「通識園」作教學用途。
消息人士表示，沙田置安心屋苑將會實而不華，不設豪華會所及泳池等設施，令市民可以較便宜的市值租金租住，然後再決定是否購買所住單位。政府明白不少夾心家庭想藉此計劃置業，消息指，當局會盡快推出鑽石山、大埔及屯門共三個置安心項目。
美聯物業高級營業經理黃錦瀚表示，沙田置安心屋苑的位置距離第一城港鐵站僅 5分鐘車程，加上環境清幽，相信會受到用家歡迎。他指出， 11年樓齡的帝堡城平均呎租 18元，相信日後落成的置安心單位呎價相若。
置安心申請人入住滿兩年即可購買所住單位、計劃下其他屋苑單位或私樓，政府會補貼已繳租金總額的一半，供申請人支付部份首期。申請人在五年租約期滿後要搬走，但之後兩年內買樓也可享首期回贈。如入住兩年內遷出，則不會獲得回贈。

I think this is not a bad budget but rather an uninteresting one. Some of the weaknesses of the budget in my opinion are:

1. $6000 into MPF but people like family assistants and civil servants sticking to the old pension option would not benefit;

2. Rate exemption only helps those who have properties to start with;

3. Increasing land supply sounds all too good to be true but depends largely on how it is implemented. Direction unclear;

4. Increase in first registration tax for private vehicles not steep enough to discourage high-end users;

5. Electricity and gas bill rebate has a deadline in 2014 which could possibly encourage people who cannot use up the rebate to consume more energy.

I'm fine with other bits of the budget.

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I think this is not a bad budget but rather an uninteresting one. Some of the weaknesses of the budget in my opinion are:

1. $6000 into MPF but people like family assistants and civil servants sticking to the old pension option would not benefit;

2. Rate exemption only helps those who have properties to start with;

3. Increasing land supply sounds all too good to be true but depends largely on how it is implemented. Direction unclear;

4. Increase in first registration tax for private vehicles not steep enough to discourage high-end users;

5. Electricity and gas bill rebate has a deadline in 2014 which could possibly encourage people who cannot use up the rebate to consume more energy.

I'm fine with other bits of the budget.

I feel the same, it is a fair budget. It certainly doesn't solve every problem, but not a bad one.
At least it isn't asking for tax hike, or other way to capture money, like the rest of the world does.
The car registration and cigarette taxes are another stories, as they serve other function.

I think $6k in MPF is better than not giving anything; true not everyone is getting benefit from it, or not getting immediate access to the money, but the benefit pool is still bigger than only doing tax return to tax payers. Everyone just wants the government to give out free money like Macau does.

And totally agree on "increasing land supply sounds all too good to be true." The developers still can choose to bid for the land, and not build anything to keep the supply low unless the bid requires them to build and supply flat within certain time period. Otherwise, unless the government takes the lead to build, it is just trash talk, IMP.

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I feel the same, it is a fair budget. It certainly doesn't solve every problem, but not a bad one.
At least it isn't asking for tax hike, or other way to capture money, like the rest of the world does.
The car registration and cigarette taxes are another stories, as they serve other function.

I think $6k in MPF is better than not giving anything; true not everyone is getting benefit from it, or not getting immediate access to the money, but the benefit pool is still bigger than only doing tax return to tax payers. Everyone just wants the government to give out free money like Macau does.

And totally agree on "increasing land supply sounds all too good to be true." The developers still can choose to bid for the land, and not build anything to keep the supply low unless the bid requires them to build and supply flat within certain time period. Otherwise, unless the government takes the lead to build, it is just trash talk, IMP.

我覺得預算案方向正確，也有一些具新意的政策（如教育方面）， 只是好多野都顯得有D唔夠到肉。至於退稅，我覺得要視乎去年薪俸稅稅收總額而定。如薪俸稅稅收總額並非佔713億盈餘太大比例的話，我覺得是可以適度退稅的。我唔係話要香港市民攤大手等政府養，而係在樓價飛升和糧食交通等物價狂飚的時候，政府可以做多點幫小市民。

至於房屋問題，增加土地供應根本解決不了問題。現時政府的土地儲備比本港三大發展商的土儲還要少。要解決房屋問題，除了復建居屋之外根本別無他法。

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不憐百姓惜倉庫 學生批如隋文帝

【明報專訊】財政司長曾俊華昨繼續被市民炮轟，有學生更把曾俊華比喻為約1400年前的隋文帝﹕即使天災連年，也拒絕開倉扶貧，「不憐百姓而惜倉庫」。有市民在電台節目上直斥政府縱容炒家炒舖打壓小商戶，令香港儼如賭場，投機不絕。

曾俊華昨日傍晚出席青年協會的「與青少年對話」論壇，有學生問他是否感到很挫敗？沒有多露笑容的曾俊華承認，今年預算案評分比較低，但堅稱預算案可幫中產、低收入人士和社會發展，「因此我不會有挫敗感，我是用心做此事」。


拒玩《窮富翁》 「不做真人騷」


一批10多歲的學生卻對此不大認同，天水圍佛教茂峰法師紀念中學Dicky說，政府應推出香港電台電視節目《窮富翁大作戰》官員版，由高官親身體驗窮人生活，制訂有效措施扶貧。但曾俊華說自己曾體驗貧苦生活，「不用做這些真人騷」。


該校中四學生張德霖把曾俊華比喻為隋文帝，即使天災連年、倉庫有五六十年儲備仍拒絕開倉庫，百姓饑餓：「隋文帝被評為『不憐百姓而惜倉庫』，今年政府盈餘713億元，儲備6000億元，紓困措施卻不足夠，請問曾司長會否以古為鑑？」主持人的青協總幹事王鳴笑了起來，曾俊華則重彈舊調，說儲備達6000億元是適當水平，應付日後人口老化。


被轟縱容炒舖 打擊小商戶


曾俊華昨晨出席港台英文台「烽煙」節目，有市民斥政府縱容炒家炒舖，打擊小商戶，但曾俊華搬出針對炒樓的額外印花稅回應，該市民搶白說：「你只顧重複論調！未來幾個星期，你便會看見很多人上街。」市民斥樓宇供應不足，曾俊華續打官腔，說已增加土地供應，又會推出「置安心」。節目主持人兼前高官盧維思打斷曾俊華：「問題是要等太長時間，地產商如今可控制土地供應。」曾俊華無奈地說：「這當然需時。」

不提退稅通脹論 修訂財案口風變軟

【明報專訊】財政預算案公布三天，在學者反駁、團體發起「紫荊花革命」遊行、議員否決預算案之下，曾俊華昨日口風有轉變象，不再說「退稅會引發通脹」；對修訂預算案的要求不再說「無空間修改」，改為「會耐心聆聽和解釋」，更表明「注資強積金是包括老師」。




曾俊華連日來稱退稅引發通脹之說，被多名學者連番反駁，他昨出席青協答問會，有學生質疑新加坡也退稅，難道星洲不會擔心通脹？曾俊華終於放棄「退稅惹通脹」論，稱政府已增加供養父母和子供免稅額，令6萬人跌出稅網。

曾俊華前日表示預算案經深思熟慮，沒有空間修訂。但事隔一天，有學生在答問會上問，反對預算案聲音不斷，遊行示威在即，預算案或會難獲通過，曾俊華會否修訂？另有同學問，教師和公務員是強積金注資安排下的漏網之魚，會否作修訂？


曾俊華此時不再提出「沒空間修訂預算案」的強硬回應，「近兩日聽到不少反對聲音，我會耐心聽聲音，向全港耐心解釋預算案，希望大家知道預算案原意。這真是一個不錯的預算案」。他又朗讀一次強積金注資安排，並說「我的理解是包括老師在內，這個我可以澄清。但不包括公務員在內」。


曾俊華更在會後見傳媒時，宣布注資強積金會有約400萬人受惠，參與津助學校公積金的教師應該可以受惠。但被問到是否包括官校教師，曾俊華說問題非常複雜，因為不同老師參加的退休計劃也不同。


教師受惠注資 被批「突然轉」


據悉，政府昨日內部討論公務員和教師會因為不獲強積金而上街後決定調整，由曾俊華下午宣布讓教師獲得6000元注資。教協副會長張文光質疑當局是「突然轉」，因為到前日教育局回覆教協查詢時，仍斬釘截鐵說這6萬教師不能受惠注資。

Hmm.....some questions just popped out:

-How much is Hong Kong budget for year 2011
-How much revenues did the government earn for 2010?
-How much are the expenditures?

P.S.
Also:
Is Hong Kong really expensive to live?

Now I know cost of living in more developed countries is expensive.......but by how much?

In the case of HK, isn't it that only land and housing prices that are expensive (and it's understandable since HK doesn't have much land space; simple supply-and-demand)

But seriously, aside from that and private car ownership, isn't it that there is nothing else in the country that is as expensive?

Food? Seems okay (and in some places it is cheap). Clothes and shopping? Definitely cheap. Taxes? You guys don't have VAT/GST (although the government in the past wanted 5% sales tax.......but that law didn't get passed) and income taxes are lower than ours. Broadband internet? Definitely cheaper than what we have here. Faster speeds for lesser pricing (i.e. PCCW Netvigator 100 Mbps for only 700 pesos worth AND HKBN 1000 Mbps fiber optic for less than 1000 pesos!!!!!)

Movies? Slightly more expensive (just a bit) but offset with better movie theaters and disposable income of HK peeps are higher.

Pay TV? A bit pricey but there are remedies (i.e. TVB Pay Vision only costs HK$238 ; HK Cable only costs HK$150 per month for basic service bundle). And it's must because IMHO, if the only channels you have are just free-to-air, then you are cheapshit (seriously, TVB Jade is not the only TV channel out there). Sorry for being offensive but I'm just stating my opinion.

Transport costs (excl. private autos)? Seems reasonable. Rail services courtesy of MTR Corp are world class and efficient. You get what you pay for (and some times better value than that as well)

So with that said: Why are there are claims that HK is an expensive place to live?

Can you afford entertainment when you make $6/hr at an entry level position?

Definitely cheap. Taxes? You guys don't have VAT/GST (although the government in the past wanted 5% sales tax.......but that law didn't get passed) and income taxes are lower than ours.

If say a mortgage is say 50% of your disposable income and the land tax is 60% of your property value, plus income tax - is that really low tax country?

HK Gov loves high property prices as it means more tax revenue for less effort.

The Government want a VAT tax scheme at some point

HK is cheap once you have a property to live in. Problem is how you can get the property from scratch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_around_the_world

Yeah not the best source but for general info, it should suffice. Anyways, let's see what it says:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/22px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.pngHong Kong

Corporate - 16.5%
Individual - 0-15%
VAT/GST/Sales - 0%/N.A.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg.png Philippines

Corporate - 32%
Individual - 5-32%
VAT/GST/Sales - 12% or 7% or 0% (though 12% is usually the norm here).

Of course, it's a given that it is expensive to find a place to live in Hong Kong. I mean, just to find shelter or place with a roof above your head will cost you dearly.

But my point is that it is the only thing in the country that is expensive. Everything else is the same or cheaper.

Hence, my point why I think that expensive property prices are somewhat offset by other things which costs the same or are cheaper.

Also, taking into account what your profession is, you'd still earn more in HK than in RP.

I.e. a janitor in HK will earn more than a janitor in RP. Also, HSBC gives higher wages to its homebase workers than in ours.

That's what I'm trying to say.

Of course, this all for the sake of discussion and inquiry. :)

P.S.
Another case in point

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/missfashion/AboveandBeyondposterc.jpg

Ticket prices started at HK$380 per person at the very lowest and I thought that it was fucking expensive (during the Above & Beyond gig in Manila, you can already buy 4 tickets with that money).

Generally, that would be the impression. However, for local HK people in general, I believe that this is just chump change to them........and here's why I think that way:

-HK people earn more money than us across-the-board (simple developed country vs developing country in regards to people's incomes)
-Asiaworld Expo is a more world-class venue than Manila World Trade Center (newer, bigger and more world class)
-the HK event had few more guest artists than ours (dunno if that is much of a factor)
-ease and accessibility via Airport Express train services (to-and-from Asiaworld Expo)

So generally, while the ticket prices are more expensive, the benefits offered in return were higher which somewhat offset the higher ticket costs (more artists and a better venue). That and the difference in people's disposable incomes also helped.

But I think the main reason behind this *could* be that:
HK$380 (2000 pesos) to HK people is the same as 600-700 pesos to Pinoys (esp. with regards to ticket prices to events for Above and Beyond)

Just a thought :)

70億基金助運動員衝向世界

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「未來鮑魚」難充飢

維園阿伯棄保皇

【明報專訊】聲討預算案的民情升溫，多個團體昨發起反對預算案遊行，而在《城市論壇》上，各界近乎一面倒炮轟政府注資強積金的安排，是「遠水不能救近火」，就連一向力撐政府的「維園阿伯」，亦揶揄預算案：「現在我肚餓，但政府話將來畀鮑魚你食！」


昨日港台節目《城市論壇》討論預算案時，全場「噓聲四起」。民建聯李慧批評，注資強積金不能解決市民面對通脹的燃眉之急，公民黨梁家傑認為只是「益了」基金經理，小市民難受惠。民主黨何俊仁更批評預算案是「三不」──唔公平、唔到位、唔等使，質疑政府「等退休」而拒做長遠措施。


除了政黨，連一向支持政府的維園阿伯亦「不再保皇」，群起發言大表不滿，有人形容今年的預算案是歷年最差：「予人官商勾結感覺，政府又針對煙民加煙稅，紅酒稅卻不加，是否因為司長愛喝紅酒呀？」


財經事務及庫務局副秘書長劉焱則重申，明白市民期望退稅，但本港稅基狹窄，只有140萬人繳交薪俸稅，注資強積金則可讓300萬至400萬人受惠。她更即場「恭喜」擁有強積金戶口的年輕市民，認為他們為自己的退休計劃作好籌謀，政府的注資亦有助他們的退休生活。她又說重申，政府紓困措施包括免差餉及電費補貼，又廣泛提升政府服務，例如擴大藥物名冊保障範圍、增加長者醫療券面額、增加清貧學生補助等。

政府今晤建制派摸底盼平風波

各黨望修強積金方案 重提退稅

【明報專訊】財政預算案劣評如潮，政府高層今日會見立法會建制派議員，向他們「摸底」以圖解決困局。現時綜合各大黨的「開價」，大部分集中在修訂注資強積金安排及退稅兩大方向。政府消息人士稱，希望找到既切實可行又能平息風波的方案，會積極研究建制派的訴求。


另一邊廂，多個泛民政黨昨日遊行至政府總部，要求政府修訂預算案，讓中層及基層都能受惠。民主黨張文光稱，泛民會留待周五飯盒會商討後，才決定是否約見財政司長曾俊華，現時他們會集中籌備下周日及3月20日兩場大型遊行。


建制派各有傾向 未必達共識


政府高層今午2時半，在政府總部接見由民建聯主席譚耀宗牽頭的建制派議員，負責接見的官員有可能是曾俊華，或是財經事務及庫務局長陳家強。政府消息人士稱，高層官員今日接見建制派後，相信未必可即時達成共識，因為即使建制派中亦有3種不同傾向，部分溫和派促請政府自行修訂預算案，部分則要求政府接納其具體主張，另一批則基於政治目的而炮轟預算案。該消息人士表示，政府會聆聽建制派議員意見，期望找到一個切實可行，又可平息風波的方案。


倡一半注資自由提取 或扣稅


綜合各建制派包括民建聯、工聯會、自由黨及專業會議等的「開價」，主要集中在兩大方向，一是修改注資強積金的安排，例如6000元的注資額，可容許市民自由提取當中的一半或全份，用以紓困；另一方案是由政府代供6000元的僱員強積金，變相令市民可以即時「有錢手」。


第二個方向是重提退稅，例如自由黨要求政府即時退還薪俸稅75%，上限2萬元；工聯會則要求把6000元強積金注資，變為自動扣稅，但同時要求政府「加碼」扶助基層，例如把長者醫療券加至1000元。


新民黨倡直接派錢


除了這兩大方向普遍獲建制派認同外，亦有政黨要求政府直接派錢，新民黨副主席田北辰不認同「派錢引發通脹論」，要求政府直接向18歲以上居民派發6000元，讓市民自行選擇用來消費或注資強積金，較富裕市民更可選擇把錢捐給慈善機構，由政府「一對一」作配對。

Central Walk：中產最凄凉　怒火大爆發

預算案引發市民前所未有的憤怒，不少建制派中人均對財政司司長曾俊華有所怨言。有建制派中人分析，市民怒火迅速升溫的其中一個原因是，政府過去幾年忽略了中產怨氣，今次預算案就如一條藥引，引爆中產階層不滿，結果出現好像全民聲討政府的情況。

政府想法錯誤
該建制派人士批評，政府常有一種錯誤想法，以為中產有工作、有自顧能力，「政府只係要幫社會最需要嗰班人，而唔係有能力自顧生活嘅人」，但今天不少所謂中產並非甚麼大富大貴、年薪百萬人士，「喺政府家政策之下，一個四口之家月入逾 16,000元已不可申請公屋，需要租住私人樓，近年樓價、租金不斷上升，他們經濟壓力也相應增加」。況且，對這些中產來說，物價上升造成的壓力，絕不會低於一般低收入人士。「佢哋好多人冇福利、又冇得往公屋，但係柴米油鹽加價，佢哋一樣要承受物價通脹」，再加上近日的奶粉搶購潮、樓價上升，最受影響還是一眾被政府視為毋須直接幫助的中產。當中產一族發現基層有公屋免租、有綜援出雙糧，自己年年交足稅，卻連退稅 6,000元也沒有時，豈不怒火中燒，「政府成日搞錯，以及退稅幾千蚊幫唔到中產，佢哋唔好以為中產真係生活無憂，好多中產都係『月光族』、每月人工冇乜點剩，再唔係要儲起幫仔女供書教學，多 6,000蚊用，爭好遠 o架」。

後果可大可小
更加令中產不滿的是政府注資 6,000元入強積金，硬塞 240億給基金界，「根本就唔係幫人儲錢退休，而係畀班基金經理搵錢」。據悉，建制派、包括自由黨也收到不少中產投訴，強烈不滿政府忽略中產，自由黨迅速搞絕食，就是嗅到中產不滿升溫，明顯想爭中產選票。該建制派人士直言， 03年 7.1有 50萬人上街，與沉默的中產也要出來倒董有一定關係，今次中產怒火已點着，政府不盡快救火，任由這股怨氣積聚，後果可大可小。

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民情如火山爆發 肇因強積金不義

【明報專訊】財政司長曾俊華就下年度預算案，打倒昨日之我，將會順應民意，提出改善方案，以政府所掌握資源和能量，要撲滅市民的怒火，並非難事，但是政府應該深入檢視這次風波，找出深層原因，對症下藥，才可以消除隱患。我們認為，今次風波與市民敵視現行強積金的不義之處有關，政府應該全面檢討強積金，並予改善，使強積金成為打工仔退休生活的保障，而非以民脂民膏養肥強積金管理人。



強積金蠶食打工仔血汗


注資「撻」市民怨懟


本年度政府財政大豐收，盈餘累積已達938億元，財政儲備更破了6000億元大關，人們原本認為曾俊華這一份預算案很容易做，只需推出適當紓困措施，就會贏得喝采，不少人反而期待曾俊華善用龐大財力，推動經濟發展。豈料，大魄力未見顯現之餘，預算案連派糖小事也引發民怨，其中曾俊華拒絕退稅，選擇給超過300萬個強積金戶口，每個注資6000元，最惹市民反彈。


曾俊華選擇注資強積金，目的為市民投資未來，又不會激化通脹，相信不少學院派的經濟學者，也會認同注資做法。但是注資的理性思考，放在政治和社會氛圍，卻成為不諳民情的食古不化。雖然飽受批評，上周曾俊華在多場合，仍然堅持紓困措施正確和合理，可是證諸民意調查，曾俊華這份預算案，使特首、三司民望全部插水，見歷史新低，以曾俊華跌幅最大，預算案評分亦不及格，只有46.9分，中產的不滿度較基層高，乃曾俊華所做4份預算案中，評分最低者。


所以，這份預算案不得民心，乃社會最大共識，對於政府和曾俊華而言，就算沒有政黨、團體發起的3月6日大遊行，都應該審時度勢，改變僵硬取態。政府派糖，市民得益，應屬好事，現在卻有可能成為官民衝突的導火線，官民不值得因派糖而對撼，曾俊華打倒昨日之我，由堅持預算案沒有修改空間，到改口說很快拿出具體改善方案，反映特區政府未至於「死牛一邊頸」，官員還識得反思自省，這是值得慶幸之處。


曾俊華提出改善方案之外，政府和他應該深入檢視這次風波的深層原因。我們認為，這次派糖引發民情如火山爆發，曾俊華選擇不退稅只是導火線，深層原因是數年來，市民對樓市政策失誤，土地供應不足，樓價如脫韁野馬，政府堅拒復建居屋，使夾心階層市民、特別是年輕一代望樓興嘆，置業安居無期，加上貧富懸殊惡化，社會矛盾愈趨尖銳，市民怨懟日亟，本已到了臨界點；整體社會氛圍與2003年7．1大遊行之前，有些類似，當年《基本法》第23條立法，成為民怨總爆發的導火線，今年曾俊華注資強積金，「撻」了市民對政府的不滿。


樓市扭曲、貧富懸殊並非今時今日有之，但是預算案之前，未見市民「敵愾同仇」，我們認為注資強積金是「撻」市民情緒的關鍵。強積金已經實施逾10年，但是市民檢視自己的強積金，累積了11年，只有「雞碎咁多」，展望未來，難望賴以養老；但是，管理強積金的銀團，每年收取巨額管理費，其蠶食打工仔辛勤血汗所得的實質，昭昭在目，市民對於強積金，甚為仇視，此乃本港的現實。所以，當曾俊華宣布給每個強積金戶口注資6000元，總數達240億元之時，許多人立即想到的是政府「明益」銀團，銀團即時得益，市民則要最多三數十年之後，才可以領用。


切勿漫無目的派錢


政府可代供強積金


這次注資風波，完全反映市民「仇視強積金」的情意結，我們認為政府和曾俊華要看到這一點，應該趁機會全面檢討強積金的運作和管理，採取政策措施，調整強積金不義的一面，讓它回復市民可賴以退休、減輕人口老化對政府財政開支構成的壓力，改變強積金養肥銀團、管理人，蠶食打工仔血汗所得的局面。


至於紓困措施改善方案，為了斷尾求生，收到即時扭轉民情的效果，或許全民派錢會是政府考慮選項之一，我們認為，政府不應該以從直升機上撒錢方式收買人心，因為漫無目的派錢，效果形同虛耗公共資源，絕不可取，政府仍然要秉持一些原則，例如不應激化通脹等。基本上，我們認為注資到強積金戶口，並無原則上的不對，市民想有現金紓困，兩者不應相互排斥，可以兼容。我們建議：


（1）本諸公平原則，約12萬長俸公務員，可以獲得扣除稅款最多6000元，扣滿為止；


（2）其他打工仔的6000元，可以有兩個選擇。一是打工仔每月供款，由政府代供，達到6000元為止，其間僱主每月要把打工仔的應供款項，以薪金方式發放，這個做法使打工仔多了錢用。二是6000元分兩部分，3000元按上述政府代供處理，另外3000元則扣稅，使打工仔短期內就有6000元可供支配。


上述建議，符合投資未來和不激化通脹的原則，也保留注資強積金的精神，政府較能自圓其說。當然，政府若能使強積金管理人不但不徵收注資的管理費，還把注資款項獨立處理，有關收益全數歸打工仔所得，自然最理想了。

財爺：不注資 每人派六千
(明報)2011年3月2日 星期三 10:55

財政司長曾俊華決定收回財政預算案注資強積金的做法，全港18歲以上永久居民可以直接獲取6000元。

曾俊華今晨再約見建制派議員，介紹其修訂財政預算案後的措施後宣布，考慮到近日公眾對6000元注資強積金做法的不滿，決定轉換平台，18歲或以上永久性居民，可按意願全數直接提取6000元，此舉令更多市民受惠，包括公務員、家庭主婦、退休人士等。對於仍未受惠此措施的有需要人士，財爺表示會預留一筆款額處理。

財爺又說，為回應中產人士對財政預算案的不滿，決定寬免薪俸稅及個人入息課稅75%，上限6000元。

（即時新聞）



So that means 中產 people can get a maximum of $12k... what the hell

學者：市民再看不起政府
(明報)2011年3月2日 星期三 12:05

學者認為，政府一星期內大幅改變預算案，會令市民再看不起政府，認為只要多給壓力，政府早晚會跪低。

香港中文大學 政治與行政學系高級導師蔡子強認為，新方案出台，不能宣之於口的理由，是政府關注夠不夠票通過預算案，以及不希望星期日出現大規模的紫荊花革命，與內地的茉莉花革命產生相互影響。

但蔡子強認為，政府沒有新的數據說明為何當初認為派錢退稅會引起通脹，而現在卻沒有通脹問題。因此新方案只是短期解決問題，但長遠的影響是，市民會覺得政府的政策很民粹，市民再看不起政府，認為只要多給壓力，政府早晚會跪低。

^^ Just as I thought...

分析員指派錢對財政及通脹影響輕微
(商台)2011年3月2日 星期三 10:49

財政司長曾俊華修訂預算案建議，取消向強積金戶口注資六千元，改為直接向本港十八歲以上、持有永久居民身份證的市民，直接派發六千元現金，市民可以按意願提取現金，亦會加入鼓勵儲蓄元素。曾俊華又決定寬減薪俸稅，上限為應繳稅款的七成半，最多六千元。

有經濟分析員指，估計合資格獲派錢的人有近六百萬名，按每人獲派六千元，即建議將涉及357億港元，比強積金注資建議的240億元為多。

交通銀行香港分行首席經濟及策略師羅家聰指，政府只是微調方案，並非改變理財理念，又指政府財政儲備有近六千億元，派錢的影響有限。以美國經驗，寬減薪俸稅對通脹的刺激只是短暫性，加上部份人會將錢儲起，對通脹影響很微。

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So for $12,000 in payouts, we endure a > 20% rise in property prices, and a big inflation rate this year ...

ARCH 2, 2011, 6:10 PM HKT
Cash Handouts Not Enough, Say Legislators, Residents
By Alice Truong

Some Hong Kong legislators and residents say Financial Secretary John Tsang’s revised budget, which includes a cash handout, is still not enough to offset rising costs.

Mr. Tsang, following criticism of the budget he announced last week, said Wednesday the government will give 6,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$770) to all adult permanent residents in addition to salaries tax cuts for all tax payers. The handout will replace an earlier plan that would inject the same amount of money into residents’ retirement funds.

Albert Ho, chairman of the Democratic Party, says the revised budget fails to address the root of the problem, after property prices rose 24% in 2010.

“The concession is not sufficient,” he said. “It still fails to address long-term structural problems of Hong Kong … Few think the government has done a good job containing property prices.”

Minnie Yeung, who was handing out marketing materials for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, also said the government could do more to help residents.

“Hong Kong is so expensive. The government should give us more,” said Ms. Yeung, 28. She said she and her family will likely spend the handout on rent – rent for their Yau Ma Tei home increased about 10% in January, she said. “We need to pay it.”

Still, some residents say the cash handout is preferable to the money going into a retirement fund.

“The money wouldn’t have gotten to my hands for another 30 years,” said Tommy Chan, 34, a cab driver. “I will use it for everyday spending. Everything in Hong Kong is more expensive now.”

The government has forecast consumer prices to jump 4.5% this year, after a 2.4% rise in 2010. Mr. Tsang said inflation is one of the biggest problems the city faces. In his earlier budget speech he said he had refrained from any handouts because he thought they would further fuel inflation rates.

Mr. Tsang’s about-face will only benefit permanent residents over age 18. Government officials said a cut-off date for having permanent-resident status has not yet been determined. People who have resided in Hong Kong for seven or more years are allowed to apply for permanent residency.

“I find it hard to understand the logic behind including all permanent residents, regardless of income, while residents such as myself who have paid taxes for many years are excluded,” said Ash Pritchard, 29, a communications executive, who will apply to become a permanent resident in October. “Regardless of this, my main criticism would be that the financial secretary should use the surplus to narrow the huge gap in the quality of life between the rich and poor in Hong Kong and not to try to buy public favor.”

Public opinion of Mr. Tsang plummeted 15 percentage points almost immediately following his budget speech last week, according to a University of Hong Kong poll. Mr. Tsang estimated a government surplus of US$9.15 billion, leaving many to question why more funds weren’t going back to citizens in need. Days after the budget was announced, residents took to the streets of Central in protest.

Wong Yuk-man, cofounder of the People’s Party, said he was impressed public sentiment helped change the budget within a week. Mr. Wong – who had protested the budget by throwing paper money, typically burned as an offering for the dead in Chinese culture, at Mr. Tsang during a briefing Thursday – said he thinks the handout will “relieve pressure for a lot of people.”

Mr. Ho said a planned protest of the budget will continue on Sunday, but turnout is likely to diminish with the revised budget.

Source:
http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/03/02/cash-handouts-not-enough-say-legislators-residents/?mod=WSJBlog&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

So for $12,000 in payouts, we endure a > 20% rise in property prices, and a big inflation rate this year ...

Nonono. YOU endure the 20% rise in property prices. I'm happy enough not to buy a property, and meanwhile keeping to my $6000 without paying taxes :banana:

ARCH 2, 2011, 6:10 PM HKT
Cash Handouts Not Enough, Say Legislators, Residents
By Alice Truong

“I find it hard to understand the logic behind including all permanent residents, regardless of income, while residents such as myself who have paid taxes for many years are excluded,” said Ash Pritchard, 29, a communications executive, who will apply to become a permanent resident in October. “Regardless of this, my main criticism would be that the financial secretary should use the surplus to narrow the huge gap in the quality of life between the rich and poor in Hong Kong and not to try to buy public favor.”

Welcome to politics module 1.1 :lol::lol::lol:

and meanwhile keeping to my $6000 without paying taxes :banana:

YOU SHOULD FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THAT. :lol:

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YOU SHOULD FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THAT. :lol:


YOU SHOULD FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THAT.:lol: x 2

Nonono. YOU endure the 20% rise in property prices. I'm happy enough not to buy a property, and meanwhile keeping to my $6000 without paying taxes :banana:

Well, those who rent are also hit with rental increases, so a huge part of the population still suffers.

:lol: Why should I feel guilty about something I didn't ask for and didn't have any say about?

Well, those who rent are also hit with rental increases, so a huge part of the population still suffers.

At least you're a rich sufferer ;)

澳門派錢4年 減金額即惹不滿


http://news.mingpao.com/20110303/ga__03gc401.jpg



【明報專訊】新加坡和澳門政府自2008年已開始直接派錢給市民紓困，其中新加坡政府要求21歲或以上市民先開設特定戶口才可收錢；澳門則不分年齡派錢，會按官方紀錄的地址郵寄派錢支票。有澳門立法會議員和學者均警告，派錢雖然可短暫增加民望，但「派開就好難停」。

澳門自08年開始派錢，今年是第四年，採取毋須申請的做法， 即50多萬澳門人不論年齡，都會自動獲政府按官方紀錄地址郵寄派錢支票，今年派錢金額達4000元（非永久居民亦獲2400元），缺點是每年都會有人搬屋致收不到支票，印製支票行政費亦高。


星洲公民須申請 省行政效率高


至於以派紅利為名、近期宣布向250萬名21歲或以上成年公民每人派600至800坡元（約3660至4880港元）的新加坡政府，要求公民必須先申請才獲派錢，可以透過互聯網或銀行櫃員機申請即可，現金會過戶到申請人的銀行戶口。事先申請雖較麻煩，但可減省印、寄支票行政成本，亦可加快派款速度。


澳門學者﹕派開就好難停


澳門立法會議員區錦新和澳門科技大學人文藝術學院助理教授譚志強均指出，派錢有助促進零售，受市民歡迎兼可暫時改善民望，可是一旦開始派錢，市民有了期望，日後便很難停止。區錦新舉例，澳門過往3次派錢均介乎5000至6000元，但去年樓價大升後，今年派錢減至4000元，即引起澳門市民極大不滿。他認為港、澳政府若要長遠改善民望，除必須解決根本社會矛盾如高樓價，亦要與市民商討日後的盈餘派發機制，免被迫年年派錢。


中原地產創辦人施永青日前撰文時看法亦類似，他認為盈餘分派「不患寡，而患不均」，建議政府定立公開透明的客觀標準，如按每年累積盈餘多少，決定每年派糖或派錢金額。

居美港人「不勞而獲」 擬回港提錢

【明報專訊】「凡18歲或以上有香港永久居民身分證，就可獲派6000元。」這消息傳到身在美國的港人，第一個反應是﹕「點解？發生乜事？」在香港土生土長的Karen，中五畢業後隨家人移民美國至今逾15年，對於港府面對壓力下決定派錢息民怨，她不諱言感到政府有點crazy（瘋狂）。

「如果我回來提錢，港府會否發現我從來沒有在香港納稅？」Karen不敢相信，只需持有香港身分證，便可如此不勞而獲，更反問﹕「這會否對香港的納稅人很不公平？」因為以她連同父母及妹妹計，一共4人，照理可獲派2.4萬元。


但既然有錢派，Karen當然歡迎，即使要她搭飛機回港才能提錢，也會考慮。「雖然6000元不夠買機票，但起碼已有6000元補貼，我只需付另外6000元。」Karen相信，不少移居美國的港人，可能也會藉此機會回港提錢順便探親，反觀美國經濟如此不濟，確有點羨慕香港。



未貢獻社會 窮人比我需要錢

中大工商管理學系一年級生曾樂豐

【明報專訊】「政府派6000元，不足夠我去外國做交流生，又不足償還學生資助貸款。我尚未對社會有貢獻，可以不要這筆錢，很多窮人更有需要。」

計劃投資 政府盲目順應民意

中大工商管理學系二年級生吳振僑
【明報專訊】「我會利用政府派的6000元做投資。政府今次派錢只是盲目順應民意，沒有經過深思熟慮。」

網民反應


【明報專訊】KaryLung﹕我要遊行！我要6000！


Thomson Kwong﹕無你份咪無你份，你有冇為社會貢獻，你有冇交過稅？為6000嘈生晒？畀你咪又係拎去玩。


AB Hunter﹕我都係93，同樣都拎唔到錢，但我無所謂，因為我仲讀緊書。但係同是93，末代考生，CE（會考）唔得無重考，出做啦……貢獻佢都有貢獻到，點解冇錢拎……


官商X結﹕24歲以下全日制學生，食靠屋企，住靠屋企，佢知咩係辛苦錢咩？


兵工廠沙皇﹕稅都未交過，又未做過，有咩資格？

疑發爛渣大派特派曾俊華嚇親建制派


由企硬不肯退稅兼派錢，到昨天大開水喉大派特派，曾俊華的「急轉彎」舉動令建制派陣營也大為驚訝，懷疑當局「發晦氣」：「你哋話派錢吖嘛，我咪派畀你哋睇」；有政界中人指此舉無疑是為下屆香港政府留下難度，「到時個財政司司長唔派錢就俾人鬧 o架喇喎！」曾俊華「雙管齊下」為庫房洩洪，有建制派人士形容昨天得悉方案後也大吃一驚，指不少政黨沒有要求政府同時退稅或派錢，認為政府就算「二擇其一」已能令黨派收貨，「點知佢竟然兩樣都做，派咁多？但我哋都局住冇得話唔要」。
政務官對派錢抗拒
工聯會黃國健昨天直認聽到政府對預算案大幅修改至「既派錢又退稅」，「令我既驚喜又驚嚇」，直指社會要思考日後政府凡有盈餘便派錢，對管治是否有利。有泛民中人也指政務官一直對退稅減稅非常抗拒，更遑論向全港市民派錢，估計曾俊華最終違心而行大派特派，無非有點「發爛渣」，「民意叫派吖嘛，建制派又倒戈叫派吖，咪派晒啲盈餘出嚟，畀你哋睇吓係咪有用囉」。其實修訂方案未出爐前，官員曾向外放風表明「一係唔派，一係就全面咁派」，務求一舉消弭反對聲音。

澳門議員警告：派開就唔可以停

【本報訊】澳門政府早在三年前已直接向市民派錢，澳門立法會議員吳國昌以「過來人」身份提醒港府，「派開就唔可以停，你一停就會俾人嘈」。澳門經驗同時可見證，小市民有數千元落袋，但貧富懸殊、住屋問題沒半點改善，「只不過係喺官商勾結下，政府回番少少畀你」。

「止痛餅」份量難減
香港政府加入派錢行列，吳國昌即時反應是「恭喜、恭喜」。他估計，從今以後，香港人也會像澳門一樣，年年都有要求政府派錢的呼聲。澳門政府 09年起派錢，當年每人派 5,000元，去年加碼至 6,000元。澳門特首崔世安今年只派 4,000元，另外注資 6,000元到中央儲蓄金戶口，即時引起民憤。「民情立即反彈，因為中央儲蓄金戶口唔係即時攞到。好多人即係問，點解派現金得四千呀？問點解派少咗呀？」崔世安惟有改口，稱 4,000元只是上半年的現金分享，暗示下半年加碼。吳國昌表示，前特首何厚鏵首次派錢時已表明，這些錢只是「止痛餅」。吳續說：「如果香港政府都要咁樣派止痛餅，只係代表呢度同樣受小圈子選舉，官商勾結利益輸送影響，為咗安撫民怨，先至回番少少畀你。」

香港[大紅包] 台灣報道

lfgKqWz1J0Q

here is another thought for those who didn't pay salary and personal assessment taxes in the last fiscal year...

the second part of the budget change is "reductions of up to 75% in salaries tax and tax under personal assessment, capped at $6,000."
it is likely the government will not send out a check refund for those paid taxes in last fiscal year, but the reduction will be made in the next fiscal year when you file the new tax.
is it a general policy that every salary and personal assessment tax payer gets to reduce 75% of the tax amount (6000 max.) next year?
Or does the government review what you paid last year, and deduct 75% of the paid tax amount (6000 max.) from the new tax amount?

so if you didn't pay any tax in last fiscal year, then you get a job this fiscal year, do you get that 75% reduction or 6k when you report tax for FY2011 when 2012 comes?

here is another thought for those who didn't pay salary and personal assessment taxes in the last fiscal year...

the second part of the budget change is "reductions of up to 75% in salaries tax and tax under personal assessment, capped at $6,000."
it is likely the government will not send out a check refund for those paid taxes in last fiscal year, but the reduction will be made in the next fiscal year when you file the new tax.
is it a general policy that every salary and personal assessment tax payer gets to reduce 75% of the tax amount (6000 max.) next year?
Or does the government review what you paid last year, and deduct 75% of the paid tax amount (6000 max.) from the new tax amount?

so if you didn't pay any tax in last fiscal year, then you get a job this fiscal year, do you get that 75% reduction or 6k when you report tax for FY2011 when 2012 comes?

I believe they mean they're refunding 75% of what you are supposed to pay for 2010/11 subject to a $6000 cap, similar to last year. If you did not pay any taxes for 2009/10 but got a job this fiscal year (2010/11) then they'd calculate what you are supposed to pay for 2010/11, reduce it by 75% ($6000 max) and you get a rebate later on. There is no tax reduction for 2011/12 yet. That's how I understand it.

派錢加國30萬港人惹爭議

涉款料18億 民主黨﹕有都畀新來港移民

【明報專訊】財政司長曾俊華建議向18歲以上、持有香港永久居民身分證的市民派發6000元，引起已移居加拿大的港人關注，紛紛向駐多倫多香港經濟貿易辦事處查詢「是否有錢派」。辦事處估計，加拿大約有30萬名香港移民，若每人獲派6000元，涉及款項約18億元。本港各政黨對此安排反應不一，不少網民就質疑這些移民已離開香港多年，不用納稅，對香港貢獻有限，不應享有這項幅利。



工聯會王國興認為，應向合資格的海外港人移民派錢，「皆大歡喜」；民建聯陳鑑林認為，移民港人是否應獲派6000元，應由政府決定，加拿大港人如認為應分一杯羹，應主動反映，讓司長在制訂標準時有依據。民主黨主席何俊仁認為，不應向移居海外多年的港人派錢，「有都應該派畀新來港移民」。


網民質疑不交稅沒貢獻


在討論區，有網民說﹕「我覺得移民十幾廿年只係返過換智能身分證人係唔應該有6000蚊！你移民去外國唔理香港，又唔交稅又冇貢獻，憑乜呢6000蚊？」網民WSWAI﹕「不應派給他或她們，否則令大量移民來港拿好處，香港庫房會崩潰！」

駐多倫多香港經濟貿易辦事處助理處長蕭顯揚表示，自從曾俊華公布修訂預算案內容後，辦事處電話響個不停，不斷收到來電查詢「是否有錢派」。港府至今仍未公布派錢細節，但加國的旅遊業界評估，一旦確定移民符合資格，預料今年淡季的機位都會迫滿回港領錢的港人。


溫哥華翠明假期的職員說，昨有不少市民致電詢問，今年上半年的淡季結束前，是否仍有機位，就算獲派6000元不足以購買來回機票，亦會回港，感覺有如「中了獎有免費機票往返溫哥華與香港」。


星派錢沒預雙重國籍市民


資料顯示，新加坡2008年的預算案列明，除了新加坡居民，亦要符合其他條件，如21歲以上，以及不能擁有雙重國籍，換言之移居他國的市民不能受惠。


統計處及入境處稱，已移居外地、持有香港永久居民身分證的人士，沒有他們的統計資料。

網民WSWAI﹕「不應派給他或她們，否則令大量移民來港拿好處，香港庫房會崩潰！」



Regardless whether giving out the money to emigrants is good or not, I don't think people will immigrate to HK just because of that...

星派錢沒預雙重國籍市民

資料顯示，新加坡2008年的預算案列明，除了新加坡居民，亦要符合其他條件，如21歲以上，以及不能擁有雙重國籍，換言之移居他國的市民不能受惠。


I would imagine HK probably has significantly more dual citizenship citizens than Singapore, with many Canadians, Australians, Americans and British.

Can the government can actually tell who is dual, who isn't dual?

派糖輸畀香港　澳門人要求加碼


鬍鬚曾轉軚宣佈派錢，希望以 6,000蚊解決燃眉之急，減少星期日上街人數，不過呢招卻產生港府意想唔到嘅連鎖反應──澳門人知道香港豪派 6,000蚊後，即時要求澳門特首崔世安加碼派錢，因為澳門今年只係每人派 4,000蚊，少香港三分一，要求政府回水嘅呼聲，環迴港澳。


收集逾萬個簽名
澳門有電視台在港府宣佈派錢後，即時在當地做街訪，澳門人多數覺得鬍鬚曾大手筆，反觀澳門政府就比較孤寒，因為澳門前幾年都係派 6,000蚊，今年卻縮水派 4,000蚊，香港一派就多兩千蚊，仲有退稅，市民分分鐘有成萬蚊落袋，難怪令澳門人羨慕。
澳門工人自救會理事長張榮發話，已收集逾 11,000個簽名要求崔世安還富於民，希望下半年加碼再派 4,000蚊紓解民困。如果澳門人願望成真，即係全年有 8,000蚊落袋，多香港人 2,000蚊喎，屆時唔知有冇人要鬍鬚曾添啲呢？
至於獲派最多約 4,880港元嘅新加坡人，八方相信佢哋唔會上街要求加碼，但對視香港為主要對手嘅新加坡高官而言，冇理由想輸畀香港啩！

Can the government can actually tell who is dual, who isn't dual?

No... and I believe Singapore doesn't allow dual nationality...??

派糖輸畀香港　澳門人要求加碼


鬍鬚曾轉軚宣佈派錢，希望以 6,000蚊解決燃眉之急，減少星期日上街人數，不過呢招卻產生港府意想唔到嘅連鎖反應──澳門人知道香港豪派 6,000蚊後，即時要求澳門特首崔世安加碼派錢，因為澳門今年只係每人派 4,000蚊，少香港三分一，要求政府回水嘅呼聲，環迴港澳。


收集逾萬個簽名
澳門有電視台在港府宣佈派錢後，即時在當地做街訪，澳門人多數覺得鬍鬚曾大手筆，反觀澳門政府就比較孤寒，因為澳門前幾年都係派 6,000蚊，今年卻縮水派 4,000蚊，香港一派就多兩千蚊，仲有退稅，市民分分鐘有成萬蚊落袋，難怪令澳門人羨慕。
澳門工人自救會理事長張榮發話，已收集逾 11,000個簽名要求崔世安還富於民，希望下半年加碼再派 4,000蚊紓解民困。如果澳門人願望成真，即係全年有 8,000蚊落袋，多香港人 2,000蚊喎，屆時唔知有冇人要鬍鬚曾添啲呢？
至於獲派最多約 4,880港元嘅新加坡人，八方相信佢哋唔會上街要求加碼，但對視香港為主要對手嘅新加坡高官而言，冇理由想輸畀香港啩！

不如加入共产党？

派糖輸畀香港　澳門人要求加碼


鬍鬚曾轉軚宣佈派錢，希望以 6,000蚊解決燃眉之急，減少星期日上街人數，不過呢招卻產生港府意想唔到嘅連鎖反應──澳門人知道香港豪派 6,000蚊後，即時要求澳門特首崔世安加碼派錢，因為澳門今年只係每人派 4,000蚊，少香港三分一，要求政府回水嘅呼聲，環迴港澳。


收集逾萬個簽名
澳門有電視台在港府宣佈派錢後，即時在當地做街訪，澳門人多數覺得鬍鬚曾大手筆，反觀澳門政府就比較孤寒，因為澳門前幾年都係派 6,000蚊，今年卻縮水派 4,000蚊，香港一派就多兩千蚊，仲有退稅，市民分分鐘有成萬蚊落袋，難怪令澳門人羨慕。
澳門工人自救會理事長張榮發話，已收集逾 11,000個簽名要求崔世安還富於民，希望下半年加碼再派 4,000蚊紓解民困。如果澳門人願望成真，即係全年有 8,000蚊落袋，多香港人 2,000蚊喎，屆時唔知有冇人要鬍鬚曾添啲呢？
至於獲派最多約 4,880港元嘅新加坡人，八方相信佢哋唔會上街要求加碼，但對視香港為主要對手嘅新加坡高官而言，冇理由想輸畀香港啩！

:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious
我開始覺得係全城集體打劫政府，恐嚇佢開夾萬分錢，
唔係我就上街對冧你，但政府又冇得拉人鎖你入監，唯有就範開倉派錢。
原則上係同明刀明搶咁去打劫冇乜分別，唔同嘅係法律唔會制裁到你。

No... and I believe Singapore doesn't allow dual nationality...??

So does HK under the Chinese National Law.
If the person is a Chinese citizen and holds a foreign citizenship, the government only recognises the "Chinese" nationality unless the person declares s/he wants to stay and be treated as a foreign citizen.
(http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/nationality.htm)

So does that law actually make all dual citizenship HK citizens a Chinese citizen only, since the government doesn't recognise the other identity anyways?

The government basically doesn't say you can't have a second nationality, but I just don't recognize it. You can't ask for consular protection or benefit as a foreign citizen inside my national territory.

So does HK under the Chinese National Law.
If the person is a Chinese citizen and holds a foreign citizenship, the government only recognises the "Chinese" nationality unless the person declares s/he wants to stay and be treated as a foreign citizen.
(http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/nationality.htm)

So does that law actually make all dual citizenship HK citizens a Chinese citizen only, since the government doesn't recognise the other identity anyways?

The government basically doesn't say you can't have a second nationality, but I just don't recognize it. You can't ask for consular protection or benefit as a foreign citizen inside my national territory.

On my HKSAR passport application form it does say that you can have a british passport and an HKSAR passport at the same time, but it assumes you're a chinese national in HK by default unless you declare you want to be treated otherwise, in which case you will not be eligible to get an HKSAR passport.

I heard from some Singaporeans that they are actually forbidden to have dual nationality and a friend of mine actually gave up his british citizenship to get a singaporean one. Correct me if I am wrong, and I'll let my friend know he was stupid :nuts:

不如加入共产党？

:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious
我開始覺得係全城集體打劫政府，恐嚇佢開夾萬分錢，
唔係我就上街對冧你，但政府又冇得拉人鎖你入監，唯有就範開倉派錢。
原則上係同明刀明搶咁去打劫冇乜分別，唔同嘅係法律唔會制裁到你。




其實你盈餘多，肯退稅，基本上已經可以平息好多聲音。你宜家用300幾億每人派6000，你派得一年就好難停。但如果年年甘派落去，只會慢性蠶食香港人固有的奮鬥精神。而且近年每年有幾萬個內地人來港產子，幸好這班生活在內地的港孩還只是小朋友，但如果政府年年甘派落去，到這班小孩滿18歲時，便會年年由內地過關問香港政府要錢，即使他們生活在內地，對香港社會毫無貢獻:ohno::ohno::ohno:

Well, the smart thing to do is to run to your consulate, get inside its grounds, which is considered foreign territory, and seek help.

On my HKSAR passport application form it does say that you can have a british passport and an HKSAR passport at the same time, but it assumes you're a chinese national in HK by default unless you declare you want to be treated otherwise, in which case you will not be eligible to get an HKSAR passport.

I heard from some Singaporeans that they are actually forbidden to have dual nationality and a friend of mine actually gave up his british citizenship to get a singaporean one. Correct me if I am wrong, and I'll let my friend know he was stupid :nuts:

british is a little different since it's our colonial history.
many hk-born and raised chinese are a true british national (not the BN(O)), but have never lived in the UK, and never asked for it from the UK.
a friend of mine in hk (chinese) is a british b/c his grandpa was a veteran in the WWII. the british government "awarded" the citizenship to him after the war, and his nationality then passes on to his children, grandchildren, and probably forever.

Well, the smart thing to do is to run to your consulate, get inside its grounds, which is considered foreign territory, and seek help.

beside the US and the Brit, you are basically only hiding in an office somewhere up in a building in central/admiralty.
i wonder can the developer terminate the consulate lease?

6000元研直存銀行戶口

金管局促銀行交戶口數目

【明報專訊】政府宣布派錢6000元後，市民最關注派錢方法。本報記者獲悉，金管局要求本地銀行需於下周一向當局提交以個人及聯名形式開設的零售存款戶口的數目。今次「交數」的戶口只限以個人身分持有的戶口，以公司名義開設的戶口不在呈交範圍內。據了解，政府直接向市民的戶口「派錢」，是目前正研究的方案之一。


金管局發言人表示，不會就與銀行日常溝通工作評論。但銀行界人士指出，金管局做法罕見。財政司長發言人表示，目前仍在研究不同方案。


據了解，政府目前仍未確定會以何種方法「派錢」，正與不同人士溝通，其中一個可能方案是直接派錢到市民的銀行戶口。有銀行界人士認為，金管局今次僅蒐集戶口數目，但由於港人普遍擁有多過一個戶口，甚至在同一銀行亦可能持有多於一個戶口，政府未來尚有大量篩選工作要做。


非人人有戶口 須研其他方案


工銀亞洲董事兼副總經理黃遠輝表示，過往有長者因銀行設有最低存款額而索性不要銀行戶口，故政府要讓他們亦收到6000元，仍要詳細考慮其他方案。永隆銀行存款部主管龔志明則認為，今次金管局收集戶口數字，對研究派發方案幫助有限，「既沒標明是否香港居民，18歲以下人士亦可開戶，戶口數目只是一堆未經處理的數據」。


核對身分證號碼 可免重複派錢


城大MBA課程主任曾淵滄表示，相較澳門派發支票、新加坡轉帳至個人在政府的戶口，若港府採用銀行過戶形式派錢，是較為可行方法。他指出，即使市民擁有多個銀行戶口，但透過電腦核對身分證號碼，可避免重複派錢的混亂，而且毋須郵寄支票，有效減低政府的行政開支。


消息指移民港人同可受惠


另外，對於已移居海外的成年香港永久居民亦可獲發6000元，消息人士稱，派錢大原則是持有永久居民身分證都可受惠，移民後仍持有此身分，同可受惠。消息人士稱，政府無論是原則上或行政上，都難以將移居海外的港人區分開，而他們若為取6000元回港並消費及與家人團聚，亦是好事。

british is a little different since it's our colonial history.
many hk-born and raised chinese are a true british national (not the BN(O)), but have never lived in the UK, and never asked for it from the UK.
a friend of mine in hk (chinese) is a british b/c his grandpa was a veteran in the WWII. the british government "awarded" the citizenship to him after the war, and his nationality then passes on to his children, grandchildren, and probably forever.

Sorry they actually said "foreign passports" instead of "british passports". My bad!

中產人士﹕「派錢不如搞小班」

【明報專訊】執教鞭一年的「80後」教師田先生認為，政府做不到復建居屋、全民退休保障，只採取派錢的短視政策，認為既然有巨額盈餘，應撥款80億作小班教學，才有效實行融合教育，提升教學質素。


除田老師外，遊行隊伍不乏中產「發聲」，張生與妻子（圖）都任職社工，一家三口現居於大角嘴私樓，月租1.5萬元，他認為最不滿預算案未有遏抑樓市，即使勾地亦不能即時供應住宅，解決不了房屋需求的問題，「有錢又派，無錢又派，政府亦幫助不到弱智人士及老人，他們申請入住政府院舍，輪一世也輪不到」。


從事金融的吳先生表示，派錢令貧富懸殊問題更嚴重，作為中產受惠6000元影響不大，反而政策幫助不到基層，應將撥款用予安老、託兒及教育服務。


http://news.mingpao.com/20110307/ga__07GB005_.jpg




3前高官狠批「亂派錢」

陳太：一錯再錯 削管治威信

【明報專訊】昨日除大批市民上街抗議預算案外，3名前高官包括前政務司長陳方安生、林煥光和何永謙亦接連轟炸政府「今日的我打倒昨日的我」，對「亂派錢」感到很痛心。陳方安生力斥，財政司長曾俊華那份預算案已是錯誤，如今「人人派6000元」更是「一錯再錯」，偏離審慎理財原則。


陳方安生說，對今年預算案相當失望：「如此派納稅人的錢很不恰當，財政司長在一周內大轉彎，嚴重影響政府管治威信，我恐怕如今管治出現很大問題……財政司長宣讀的那份預算案已是錯，現在是一錯再錯……我認為政府和高官要檢討自己的角色和最近言行。」


陳太指出，一個四人中產家庭，透過派錢、退稅等一系列紓困措施，變相獲數萬元資助﹕「這數萬元是否用得其所呢？是否應撥這筆錢來幫助弱勢社群？政府應多建醫院和學校。」

曾是前特首董建華「心戰室成員」的特首辦前主任、現任平等機會委員會主席林煥光，昨於商台節目《政好星期天》上表示，曾班子要虛心聆聽意見，即使部分政策未能執行，也應耐心向市民解釋，而非以「政治化妝」來掩飾自己的不是。


林煥光：非用政治化妝掩錯


他認為，政府要有一套施政理念，貫徹始終，才可令政策言之成理：「這才不至於左支右絀，才不會令『今日的我打倒昨日的我』，出現得這麼頻密。」


他又指出，政府諮詢時不應有既定立場，否則當民意與立場相違背時，政府只會予人「夾硬來」或「歪曲民意」的印象，最終拖累政府和負責諮詢官員的威信和公信力。


何永謙：為「夠票」派錢得人驚


曾參與福利政策的衛生福利局前副局長何永謙，則於港台節目《城市論壇》中指出，作為前公務員，對政府今日落得如斯田地，「感到好唔開心、好心」。他透露，公務員向來很難為負責的政策取得新撥款，如他當年負責的安老服務獲數千萬元的新資源，已屬難得，但如今曾俊華為了「數夠票」，竟如此大規模派錢，「無論是貧是富，在香港或在外國居住，也可獲派6000元，是好得人驚」。

身在北京的全國人大常委范徐麗泰認為，任何政府政策都會有人不滿，而有人更稱呼香港為「遊行之都」，但香港是自由社會，遊行是市民的權利。

星派錢兒童有份 限用於教育醫療

【明報專訊】星港政府今年同樣面對庫房「水浸」，但「投資未來」的方法迥異。港府的財政預算案在民意壓力下將注資強積金改為派發現金6000元；星政府則同樣派錢，但特別針對兒童派發2440元，規定用作教育和醫療。港大社會工作及行政學系教授葉兆輝形容，「80後買部相機都可能不止6000元」，認為措施讓青年消費後，仍無助解決80後困境。


按入息派錢 「不是人人有份」


新加坡今年亦向250萬名新加坡人派錢，金額由610港元至4880港元不等，視乎入息而定，同時向22萬名6歲以下兒童派發最多2440港元津貼，作教育、醫療開支，減輕父母負擔。葉兆輝認為，港府派錢6000元，只是一種妥協，他說﹕「沒考慮過市民需要，對八十後的未來也沒有幫助」，並指新加坡今年同樣派錢，但會按市民入息決定金額，「不是人人有份」。


星80後：港府派錢損威信


港大新加坡海外生陳浩揚認為，今次派錢會打擊港府管治威信，「令市民覺得政府推出預算案前沒心思熟慮，與其派錢不如投放在教育、為社福機構設立基金等，為未來做準備」；其宿友港生甘文豪則認為，港府應在公布預算案之初便宣布派現金計劃，擔心今次政府「轉」，開施政壞先例。

hsqY0TQTUmE

Cash strapped

Diana Lee

Thursday, March 10, 2011


Hong Kong faces a potential government shutdown after the Legislative Council for the first time rejected a HK$60.2 billion bill for initial expenditure for the new fiscal year from April 1.
But an operational cash crisis is unlikely as the government can submit a revised motion to be tabled next Wednesday.

Yesterday Legco members voted 17-0 in favor of the bill, with 14 abstentions. Four others registered their presence, but did not vote.

The measure failed because it did not receive support from half the 36 members present.

Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah condemned the lawmakers' rejection of the allocation, which would cover expenditure from April 1 to April 13 when the budget is passed, as "very irresponsible" and "puts politics before welfare of the public."

The vote came as 13 pro- establishment lawmakers were in Beijing for meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Pan-democrats said they are not to blame. "We have shown all our cards from the start - and we only abstained," unionist Lee Cheuk-yan said. "It was the other side that failed to get enough votes."

Another pan-democrat, Leung Yiu- chung, said: "Lawmakers do not have to be a rubber stamp."

The chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Tam Yiu-chung, said from Beijing the pan-democrats played a game that went wrong.

Party member and Exco member Lau Kong-wah said in Hong Kong: "I don't want to blame them. The lawmakers have their responsibility and they have to shoulder the political consequences."

The pro-establishment camp's Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee apologized for her absence at the voting, adding the government is responsible for ensuring it has enough votes.

Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, the former Legco president and a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said in Beijing that the incident showed the importance of pro-government lawmakers.

"It has never happened since I was a legislator under the Sino-British government," Fan said. "It should be routine to ensure normal operation of the government. It should be outside of politics.

"Although some may speak of their dissatisfaction, it should have passed to ensure the daily operation of the government departments.

Fan asked: "Do we really want the government to stop operation or was it merely a political gesture? Can they explain to the public how it benefits the public?"

Before the voting, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Ceajer Chan Ka-keung made a last- ditch effort to win lawmakers' support, saying it has nothing to do with the revised budget.

After the vote, a poker-faced Chan said the rejection was "irresponsible and unnecessary."

John Tsang said: "We will take action as soon as possible to ensure normal operation of public services will not be affected."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to move a vote of no confidence against Tsang, saying he failed in his duty as financial secretary to make use of large financial reserves to tackle deep-rooted conflicts in society.

Political commentator Ma Ngok said the lawmakers in Beijing who failed to show up are responsible for the loss.

"You cannot take it for granted that lawmakers in Hong Kong will pass something. The [pan-democrat] lawmakers may vote for their voters," Ma said.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=108963&sid=31587329&con_type=1&d_str=20110310&fc=7

政治凌駕市民利益

政治凌駕市民利益

高官「失預算」陷管治窘境


【本報訊】政府臨時撥款有史以來首次被否決，政界人士及學者均指，事件最終雖未必會對政府運作構成實質影響，但政府行事混亂的醜態已暴露人前，形象進一步低落，勢深化管治危機。全國人大常委范徐麗泰直指港府「失預算」，未「數夠票」便提交撥款表決，並以「多災多難」形容港府今天的管治窘境。


范太形容「多災多難」
正身在北京出席人大政協「兩會」會議的范徐麗泰稱，立法會表決臨時撥款屬每年例行公事，但竟不獲通過，令市民在驚愕之中感到不安，相信港府是在「失咗預算」下行事，致令撥款無法通過，「如果政府預先估到，就會急call喺度開緊會嘅政協、人大返香港投票啦」。她擔心泛民與政府關係會進一步惡化，出現不可收拾局面，又指港府在預算案後接連受挫，是「多災多難」，對特區政府表示同情。


黃錢其濂批評，港府服務市民的方法追不上時代。 （資料圖片）
多名身在北京的建制派議員知道撥款被否決的消息後亦均表錯愕，工聯會黨團召集人黃國健稱，政府事前並沒有就撥款問題接觸他，反映事件超出港府掌握之內。他說，若政府運作因而癱瘓，有份否決撥款的議員須負上責任。經濟動力林健鋒亦批評泛民做法不理智，罔顧市民利益。

AO手段未掌握民意
前衞生福利司黃錢其濂批評，財政預算案與市民的要求脫節，沒有觸及樓市、通脹和港元貶值等市民最關心的問題，亦沒有提供紓緩貧富懸殊的方法，令市民十分失望：「政府服務市民嘅方法追唔上時代，冇錯依家氣氛係好惡劣，但官民並非唔可以合作，問題係官追唔上時代，用以往A.O.（政務主任）手段去解決問題。」她指出，以往香港政府會在制訂財政預算前會有五年和十年的經濟規劃，惟現時特區政府並無相關長遠經濟計劃，加上未能掌握民意，令問題更趨嚴峻。

前公務員事務局局長王永平指，美國曾試過政府撥款遭國會否決，有政府部門運作因而陷入癱瘓，他相信香港不會出現這種情況，但事件已進一步加深港府在市民心目中的負面形象，「行事混亂，好似甩甩漏漏咁」，港府管治威信勢受挫。

估唔到一個中下的預算案會搞到所有人都係輸家~

I think the pan-democratic guys didn't quite expect this. The initial expenditure will pass.

議員提出預算案近四千問題
(明報)2011年3月15日 星期二 18:55

立法會議員至今就開支預算向政府提出了超過3,900條問題，打破歷年紀錄。

立法會財務委員會主席劉慧卿議員表示，雖然本港擁有數以千億元的財政儲備，但立法會議員會以一貫審慎態度，履行監察公共財政的憲制責任。

財務委員會將於3月21日至25日舉行連串特別會議，審核2011－12年度財政預算案及政府未來一個財政年度的開支預算。

這些問題由56位議員提出，涵蓋83項開支分目和主要基金。劉慧卿議員補充說：「社會福利、教育和與衞生有關的議題，再次高踞最常見問題的前列位置。」

由於當局首次就今年的財政預算案在立法會發表一星期後便提出調整建議，引起社會廣泛注意。調整建議包括取消原本注資6,000元入強積金 帳目的建議，取而代之，是向全港十八歲或以上持有香港永久居民身份證的市民，派發一筆為數6,000元的款項。

劉慧卿說：「我們已與政府商定作出特別安排，讓議員可於3月25日的特別會議上審議調整建議及開支預算的其他公共開支項目。」

她亦已邀請財政司司長曾俊華親自出席3月25日的會議，解釋調整建議，並已為議員爭取更多時間審視最新的調整建議及向政府提出質詢。

^^ Wow... that's a lot of questions to answer...!!

I think the pan-democratic guys didn't quite expect this. The initial expenditure will pass.

立法會35票贊成12票棄權通過臨時撥款決議案
(商台)2011年3月16日 星期三 19:01

立法會以35票贊成，12票棄權，通過597億元的臨時撥款決議案，政府在四月一日至預算案通過前，可以有資源如常提供公共服務。財經事務及庫務局局長陳家強表示，不希望撥款進一步延誤，令醫療及社會服務等公眾服務，被迫停頓。在議案辯論中，泛民與建制派議員，不斷就上星期撥款被否決的事互相指摘。職工盟李卓人指，建制派議員是「賊喊捉賊」，把否決撥款的責任，推卸在泛民身上。獨立的鄭家富認為，政府是「以退為進」扮可憐。

工聯會潘佩璆批評，泛民把否決撥款的責任，推卸給沒出席的議員，是強盜邏輯及無羞恥之心。經濟動力林健峰認為，泛民把巿民的利益，變做談判的籌碼。

立法會35票贊成12票棄權通過臨時撥款決議案
(商台)2011年3月16日 星期三 19:01

立法會以35票贊成，12票棄權，通過597億元的臨時撥款決議案，政府在四月一日至預算案通過前，可以有資源如常提供公共服務。財經事務及庫務局局長陳家強表示，不希望撥款進一步延誤，令醫療及社會服務等公眾服務，被迫停頓。在議案辯論中，泛民與建制派議員，不斷就上星期撥款被否決的事互相指摘。職工盟李卓人指，建制派議員是「賊喊捉賊」，把否決撥款的責任，推卸在泛民身上。獨立的鄭家富認為，政府是「以退為進」扮可憐。

工聯會潘佩璆批評，泛民把否決撥款的責任，推卸給沒出席的議員，是強盜邏輯及無羞恥之心。經濟動力林健峰認為，泛民把巿民的利益，變做談判的籌碼。

35 Yes
12 Abstain
Where are the "No"??

There were 17 "Nos" last week.

35 Yes
12 Abstain
Where are the "No"??

There were 17 "Nos" last week.

There were no "No"s. They just didn't vote and so they didn't get over half "Yes"s.