Page 7 - Parliament Budget Office Annual Report 2022-2023

FOREWORD BY
THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OF PARLIAMENT
The Executive Authority of Parliament presents the 2022/23 Annual Report of the Parliamentary Budget Office as a full account of the analysis and research that the Office has conducted over the financial year.
One of the priorities of the 6th Parliament is to strengthen oversight over the Executive in order to increase the responsiveness and accountability of government. Amongst other actions conducted on the part of the Office, the implementation of this priority requires the institution to conduct deeper scrutiny of executive action and so improve the research and information services provided to Members of Parliament (MPs). The central concerns set out in Parliament's strategic plan address the persisting high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment in our country. Parliament's response is hence to pursue its established long- and medium- term strategy by monitoring the implementation of the NDP Vision 2030 more effectively and holding the Executive accountable for its implementation.
The Parliamentary Budget Office was established by the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act of 2009 to provide independent, objective and professional advice to parliamentary committees on matters related to the Budget and other financial Bills. The Parliamentary Budget Office hence plays a key role in supporting Parliament through technical support in exercising oversight of public finances. The Office also provides independent economic, policy and fiscal advice to Parliamentary Committees to ensure informed recommendations when exercising oversight over Public Finances. Since its establishment in 2013, the specific contribution of the Office has been to enhance and deepen Parliament's role in promoting fiscal oversight in South Africa.
The upshot is that Members of Parliament require credible and reliable information and research to fulfil Parliament's key functions here: building an accountable and responsive government; providing a forum for rigorous debate; asking all the relevant questions; and addressing the concerns of citizens including those referring to the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment. The PBO makes research and analysis available to the Finance and Appropriations Committees in both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of the Money Bills Amendment Procedures
Ms. NN Mapisa-Nqakula, MP
Mr. AN Masondo, MP
and Related Matters Act of 2009. In addition, the PBO continues to channel its research and analysis into reporting progress on the implementation of the priorities of the country as stated in the SA government's 2019-2024 MTSF.
The Executive Authority has requested that Members of Parliament and other Parliamentary Committees make use of the Parliament Budget Office's research and analysis as part of their oversight process. The Executive Authority has also noted the challenges facing the Parliament Budget Office in delivering its mandate and fulfilling the requirement of Money Bills and Related Matters Act. In particular, the Executive Authority has requested review and consideration of Parliament budget allocation. The budget requirements of the Parliamentary Budget Office will also be taken in to account in this process.
Ms. NN Mapisa-Nqakula, MP Mr. AN Masondo, MP
Speaker of the National Assembly Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces
PARLIAMENTARY BUDEGT OFFICE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE 2022/2023 FINANCIAL YEAR
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