The Tips for Trevor campaign is run throughout the year and the input received assists Minister Trevor Manuel in understanding public sentiment on government's macro-economic policies.
It also gives South Africans from all walks of life a chance to write to the minister with advice on what they would like to see in the Budget for the 2009/10 fiscal year.
Some of the suggestions made by the public have in the past been referred to by Manuel, who will this year deliver his Budget speech in Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday, 11 February.
Minister Manuel has received tips covering a wide range of issues with some offering technical advice, while others seek to engage the minister in innovative and creative suggestions, said the ministry.
“Tips received since the last budget speech range from ideas on job creation and the child support grant to the introduction of an annual license fee for cyclists, and many more,” said the ministry.
It said since the 2008 budget speech, over 500 tips covering tax, macro-economic policy, social and general issues have been received.
The National Treasury said it takes the public's suggestions very seriously.
The minister reads all the suggestions himself, and in some cases forwards them to different sections within the department.
Manuel has also been known to invite some members of the public who forwarded tips to a meeting to discuss their suggestions.
The Tips for Trevor campaign was launched nine years ago and is run in order to ensure government spending is in line with what is expected from the South African public and gauges issues including education, social services, health, job creation and taxes.
South Africans are encouraged to participate in the campaign by sending their tips via email to , or by fax to (012) 315-5126.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
