The Solomon Island Parliament has passed the 2005 budget, despite moves to have the budget delayed until next year.
Speaking to wind up the budget debate, Finance Minister, Francis Zama, said the petition seeking to delay the budget has failed to identify the source of the additional expenditure of 11-million US dollars the petitioners had sought to slot into the budget.
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports that Mr Zama said donor sentiments and existing measures to support people in the provinces' were also ignored in the petition instigated by MP Bartholomew Ulufa'alu.
Mr Zama said acceptance of the petition would erode the balance and measured approach to government finances that has taken the last 18 months to put right.
He said it was vital to remember that the 2005 Budget had more than 16 million dollars targeted for activities that directly provide services and income generating opportunities to people in the provinces.
