Senator calls for committee to examine underuse of security ministry's budget

 

Government Senator Don Wehby has called for a special committee to examine the underutilisation of the Ministry of National Security's budget.

 

Senator Wehby, who was making his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate during Friday's sitting of the Senate, noted that only 17 per cent of the ministry's budget has been used so far, with less than four months left in the financial year.

 

Calling the situation "unacceptable", he said a special committee could be set up by the Minister of National Security and Minister of Finance to look at the anomalies and seek to correct them.

 

Among other things, Senator Wehby wants the committee to address why the capital budget is not being disbursed and whether this is an issue of timing. He also said the committee should "ensure the funds are disbursed by the end of the financial year and ensure that going forward, we have the right resources and expertise to execute on these investments". 

 

Senator Wehby argued that as the economy improves and the debt to GDP ratio declines, there has to be efficient allocation of the funds needed to fight crime in the short, medium and long term. 

 

The senator has recommended the re-imposition of States of Emergency (SOEs), which he argued "has its place as a strategic tool to fight crime".

 

While he acknowledged the court ruling in relation to the measure, Mr. Wehby maintained that the SOEs "would have reduced the current spike in crime" had they still been in place.

 

He also said he understands the need to protect the rights of individuals who could be affected by the measure, but questioned: "What about the rights of the over 1,000 persons who have been mercilessly murdered each year? What about their right to life?"