Hong Kong's marathon budget bill crosses the line after six-week long filibuster
Talks dragged on in filibuster campaign, aimed at disrupting reform package vote
The marathon budget debate finally came to a close yesterday, clearing the way for a vote on the 2017 political reform package and ending a filibuster that saw government funding to some public bodies suspended.
The bill was passed by a vote of 37 to 14, with no abstention.
Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah said he was pleased to end six weeks of talks and expected funding for government departments to resume by the middle of next month.
"Over the past three years, there has been a filibuster" by pan-democrats to delay a vote on the budget bill, Tsang said. "It is not only a waste of time but also affects the operation of the government. No one gains anything. It is the citizens who suffer."
Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing had expressed hopes last month the budget debate could be finished before early June, so Legco could resume as "normal".
The government is expected to table the political reform package as soon as mid-June.
