Consultation for Policy Address and Budget

The Government is now preparing the Policy Address and the Budget for 2015/16. For this purpose, we have held a series of meetings with various sectors of the local community over the past month or so. Today, we finally finished these consultation meetings. The targets of consultation include Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of different political groups. As in past years, we held separating meetings with LegCo Members of different political affiliations to give them adequate time to express their views.

On November 24, 23 LegCo Members in the pan-democratic camp made a joint submission on the 2015 Policy Address and the 2015/16 Budget, putting forward a total of 102 proposals covering 15 areas, including constitutional development, people's livelihood, budget allocation and relief measures. They expressed their hope that the Government would incorporate these proposals into the coming Policy Address and Budget.

Although these pan-democrats have stated that they will boycott this year's consultation, I will read their submission carefully and forward it to the relevant departments for their consideration.

I attach great importance to the relationship between the executive authorities and the legislature. I hope that LegCo Members of different political groups and the Government will continue to perform their respective functions and work together for the long-term interest of the whole community.

December 3, 2014