Democrats revive bid for Tung to call summit on economy
Political parties have renewed calls for Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa to call a summit of officials, political parties and community leaders to map out ways to revive the economy.
Speaking after a pre-Policy Address meeting with Mr Tung, Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming said the situation had reached a critical point and compromise was needed.
'We urged Mr Tung to call a summit as soon as possible where everyone could have their say, where all parties could come up with something agreeable,' he said. 'Politicians should work together and look for a way forward, and all groups in society should have solidarity if we want to beat the economic downturn.'
Under the Democrats' proposal, Mr Tung should invite political and business leaders, owners of smaller enterprises, workers, the unemployed and academics. 'Even if no concrete solutions come up, at least during the process different groups in society could achieve a sense of solidarity,' Mr Lee said.
The party also proposed that the Government spend $31 billion to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
The leader of the Breakfast Group of lawmakers, Eric Li Ka-cheung, said he was not opposed to co-operating with other parties. 'But we really prefer the Government to take the initiative and come up with some solid solution before the Policy Address,' he said.
Information Co-ordinator Stephen Lam Sui-lung said Mr Tung had listened to the suggestions and would consider them in the process of making his Policy Address next month.
In a separate meeting with Mr Tung, the Liberal Party proposed a $33.5 billion spending package. This included new infrastructure projects and investment on tourism attractions such as an art and culture district in West Kowloon.
The party also proposed allowing 50,000 people to take job training during work hours to improve their skills.
Non-affiliated legislator Audrey Eu Yuet-mee recommended the Government spend on infrastructure, the environment and education, and invest more in education and create more teaching jobs.
The Frontier and the Social Democratic Forum jointly proposed issuing shopping coupons for non-taxpayers and those who paid less than $1,000 in tax to boost domestic consumption.
A forum representative, Andrew To Kwan-hang, said the merits of their proposal included low administrative fees and a guarantee the money would be spent locally.
