Gov’t to create 'empowering environment'

The role of the Government is, through various policies, to create a favourable environment to empower people to realise their potential and pursue their dreams and happiness.

This was the message from Financial Secretary John Tsang, speaking at the Youth Dialogue with the FS sharing session held by the Federation of Youth Groups today. Mr Tsang said empowering society is one of the key ideas behind the 2011-12 Budget.

“By investing in education, not only can the long-term competitiveness of the community be enhanced, it can also play an important empowering function for individuals.”

Mr Tsang said knowledge can change lives and widen opportunities for personal development. Through learning, people can raise their knowledge level and improve their independence and resilience.

In the 2011-12 Budget, the expenditure on education amounts to as much as $54.5 billion, accounting for 22.5% of total government expenditure, six percentage points higher than that in the revised estimates for 2010-11, demonstrating the importance the Government places on investment in education, he said.

Admitting revenue in the past year was much more than expected, he said the current fiscal reserve stands at a stable level. He stressed the Government will not just keep public money but make good use of it.

When asked whether the public can afford the proposed "iBond", he said the proposal will offer an additional way to tackle inflationary pressure and prevent people's spending power from being diminished.

Some participants worried the proposed increase in tobacco duty will force young smokers to start taking drugs. Mr Tsang said he hoped no revenue will be generated from tobacco duty collection because it will mean the proposed measure is effective, adding youngsters stopping smoking will not necessarily start taking drugs.