Tabuya withdraws motion after AG says it would result in redundancy of staff at the PM's Office

SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya withdrew a motion to cut allocations for wages and salaries for the Prime Minister's Office after she was told by Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum that this would result in staff being made redundant.

During the committee of supply stage of the budget debate, Tabuya moved for personal emoluments for the Prime Minister's Office to be reduced by 50 percent.

She says there is a need for the Government to reduce expenditure during this COVID-19 crisis and to be more mindful of spending.

Tabuya says the funds need to be diverted to health and humanitarian assistance.

Sayed-Khaiyum says cutting that allocation which is for salaries and wages for the Office of the PM is a big deal.

He says this would essentially mean half of the civil servants there would be made redundant.

Sayed-Khaiyum then asked if it is SODELPA policy to make civil servants redundant.