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Hong Kong legislature passes HK$627 billion budget
- Budget covers cash handouts, tax breaks and subsidies to offset economic blow from coronavirus pandemic
- Bill approved after three weeks of debate that saw pro-establishment and opposition camps accuse each other of undermining the city
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Hong Kong’s legislature on Thursday passed the administration’s HK$627 billion (US$80.9 billion) budget containing cash handouts, tax breaks and a raft of subsidies to provide relief during the coronavirus pandemic, but the bill was backed solely by the pro-establishment bloc.
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As the three-week debate over the bill came to an end, opposition lawmakers continued to level criticism at the police, which they accuse of using excessive force when handling anti-government protests. They also said the funding boost for the disciplined service branch was a line in the sand.
Beijing-friendly lawmakers, meanwhile, called on the government to distribute cash handouts more quickly while slamming the rival camp for trying to trigger a “constitutional crisis” with talk of vetoing the budget.
The bill passed with 42 lawmakers voting yes and 23 voting no. Medical sector lawmaker Dr Pierre Chan was the sole abstention.
Under the budget unveiled by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, which contained a HK$120 billion relief package, each adult permanent resident will receive HK$10,000 – at a total cost to the government of HK$71.1 billion.
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Speaking after the budget was passed, Chan said the preparation for cash handouts had been going “full speed”, and the government was aiming to open applications by the end of June and distribute the money between July and August.
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