'Spend Carefully On Major Infrastructural Projects'

A group of lawmakers has urged the government to think carefully before committing to big infrastructural projects, saying it's suffering from a major budget deficit.

The G19 group – consisting of politically unaffiliated lawmakers – said while it supports the development of infrastructure, the government needs to factor in its financial situation and consider alternative means to fund the major projects.

With the financial secretary due to deliver his 2023-24 budget next month, the group also urged Paul Chan to help businesses stay afloat by rolling out tax relief measures.

The group’s convenor, Tony Tse, added that the government should continue subsidising people’s electricity bills, offer transport allowances and dish out a new round of consumption vouchers.

"For the consumption voucher, of course, we will support the issue of the voucher. But as to the amount and whether it would be specific targeting [on] certain trades or industries, we will leave it to the government to consider," Tse said.