Clarification by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance
Ministry of FinanceSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns factual corrections made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong to his statements during the Second Reading of the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong amended the cited figure for funds drawn from past reserves, changing the amount from more than $50 billion to more than $40 billion. He also updated the reference year for healthcare projections related to an ageing population, clarifying that the intended year was 2030 rather than 2010. These adjustments were formally submitted through a written statement to ensure the accuracy of the official parliamentary record from the sitting of 7 November 2022. The correction provides a precise account of the government's financial position and its long-term healthcare planning for Singapore’s demographic shifts.
Transcript
(a) In reply to clarification
The following statement was in the reply given by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong) during the Second Reading of the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill at the Sitting of 7 November 2022:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong): And not to mention that we have not even talked about the more than $50 billion which we have drawn from past reserves so far, for which we are very unlikely for now, to be able to pay back. [Please refer to "Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill", Official Report, 7 November 2022, Vol 95, Issue No 73, Second Reading Bill section.]
Written statement by Mr Lawrence Wong circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to the reply given during the Second Reading of the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill at the Sitting of 7 November 2022. My reply should read as follows:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong): And not to mention that we have not even talked about the more than $40 billion which we have drawn from past reserves so far, for which we are very unlikely for now, to be able to pay back.
(b) In reply to clarification
The following statement was in the reply given by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong) during the Second Reading of the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill at the Sitting of 7 November 2022:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong): I forgot to talk about healthcare. I have already talked about the projections for healthcare in 2010. That is a projection that we are able to make on account of our ageing population. [Please refer to "Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill", Official Report, 7 November 2022, Vol 95, Issue No 73, Second Reading Bill section.]
Written statement by Mr Lawrence Wong circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to the reply. My reply should read as follows:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong): I forgot to talk about healthcare. I have already talked about the projections for healthcare in 2030. That is a projection that we are able to make on account of our ageing population.