Parliament passes $4.83 billion budget for 2025

BY NED GAGAHE

After five days of intense debate and scrutiny, the 12th Parliament yesterday officially passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill 2024, which allocates over $4.83 billion for government operations in the upcoming fiscal year.

The Bill, which was tabled by Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, on Monday, underwent rigorous scrutiny, beginning with the first and second readings in the past days.

Following these readings, it was reviewed and amended during the Committee of Supply throughout the week.

Yesterday, the Bill went through its final scrutiny at the committee stage before proceeding to the third and final reading.

Minister Sogavare moved the motion during the third reading.

“I move that the 2025 Appropriation Bill 2024, as amended, be read for the third time and do pass.” Sogavare said.

The motion was met with unanimous support from all Members of Parliament, and the Bill was successfully passed at around 4:30 pm.

The approved Bill authorizes a total expenditure of Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Nine Dollars ($4,832,273,739).

This budget will be used to support the Government’s operations and services for the fiscal year 2025.