WEEKLY UPDATES – Cabinet to hold Monday briefings

By Linda Straker

THE Keith Mitchell administration, which was elected on February 19, said on Monday that it will be holding weekly post-Cabinet briefings on Mondays in its effort to keep the nation abreast with cabinet decisions.

Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister for Communications, Public Relations, Information and Media Relations, Hamlet Mark, made the announcement on Monday when he hosted the first briefing in the absence of an appointed Press Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister for Communications,
Public Relations, Information and Media Relations, Hamlet Mark.

The briefings are expected to have a Government Minister as the main speaker and when necessary, the relevant technocrats to assist with technical clarity and explanation.

The first minister to face the press was Economic Minister, Oliver Joseph, who said that Government is working towards presenting the 2013 Budget by the middle of April, so that spending can be possible in May.

“It’s a constitutional requirement to have the Budget be completed by April 30th and we are aiming to achieve this,” said Joseph, who admits that the majority of Cabinet’s time has been spent discussing the financial situation of the country.


“It’s a challenging time ahead, but we have a competent team to deal with these challenges,” said Joseph, who confirms that the measures in place for the 2013 budget will cover up to December.

“This Budget that will be presented in April will come with certain measures and at the same time preparation will start for the 2014 Budget,” he said.