Lawmakers Endorse Funding For Govt Revamp

Legco's Finance Committee on Friday approved a funding request for the government restructuring plan that's costing an additional HK$95 million in salary each year.

Under the revamp, the number of policy bureaus will go up from the current 13 to 15; new deputies are added to the chief, financial and justice secretaries; and dozens more staff will be hired.

Seventy-three lawmakers voted in favour of the plan and one voted against, with two abstentions.

Some of those who were not in the chamber when the vote was held, such as Alice Mak of the Federation of Trade Unions, Priscilla Leung from the Business and Professionals Alliance and the DAB's Horace Cheung, have been tipped to join the incoming government as politically-appointed officials.

In supporting the funding request, DAB chairwoman Starry Lee said her party hopes the government can do a better job on planning by taking reference to the country's Five Year Plans.

Third Side lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen, who voted against the request, expressed reservations about the three new deputy secretary posts, saying officials have not explained clearly what their roles would be.

The restructuring sees the setting up of a new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, while the Transport and Housing Bureau will be split into two and the Home Affairs Bureau will become the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau.