30 Dec 2019

New Caledonia Congress approves 2020 budget

9:08 am on 30 December 2019

New Caledonia's 2020 budget has been approved by the Congress in a late night vote on Thursday.

The $US600 million budget provides for a tightening across the board as revenue from a newly introduced consumption tax is falling short.

It forecasts growth of one percent for 2020, up from 0.6 percent for this year.

New Caledonia Congress

Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Walter Zweifel

Thirty-five of the 54 Congress members approved the document, with support coming from both the anti-independence Future with Confidence and parts of the pro-independence FLNKS.

The once dominant anti-independence Caledonia Together party opposed the budget.

It criticised, among other things, cuts to tourism promotion, saying it defies the drive to diversify the economy.

The Pacific Awakening party, which became the kingmaker after this year's provincial elections, abstained.