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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, after attending the kick-off ceremony of Po Leung Kuk Flea Market today (November 3):
Reporter: How confident are you that the Old Age Living Allowance funding request can still be approved despite the opposition?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I fervently hope that the proposal will receive the blessing of the Finance Committee in the coming Friday. I really can't guarantee the outcome because it is beyond me. The power rests with the Legislative Council Members, but I urge them, I sincerely appeal to them, that for the sake of the interest of the over 400 000 needy elders, to approve the application as quickly as possible. We really need time to roll it out. We are losing time already, and we want to catch up. For catching up, we need early approval.
Reporter: The government is running into this with no "Plan B", was that an error of judgment or just plain arrogance?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: No, it is our best endeavour. It is a thoroughly considered option. We have taken account of all the relevant factors before we come up with this package. We consider it as a viable, sustainable and long-term package and we recommend it to the Finance Committee.
Reporter: What about the lawmarkers that disagree with that?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I am trying very hard. As you know, over the past few months, in fact, since the Legislative Council Election, I have been lobbying, seeing each and every party, and each and every member, giving them time, explaining the reasons for the proposal, the rationales why it needs to have a means test and so on. I have taken pains to make sure they understand the purposes. Our intention is pure and simple, we want to help the needy elders as quickly as possible. We want them to live a better life, give them a bit more.
Ends/Saturday, November 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:13
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