Zero tolerance: The Government will take tougher action against unlicensed food premises to safeguard public health.

New penalties for spitting and littering are set to take effect on June 26.

The Government will also raise the fine for illegal posting of bills and posters, and dog fouling in public places, from $600 to $1,500 to achieve a deterrent effect and safeguard public health.

A resolution will be tabled at the Legislative Council on June 18 and gazetted on June 20.

To keep people fully informed of the new penalties, publicity will be stepped up and warnings given to offenders at the start of their implementation.

Public supports Team Clean proposals

Announcing the decision in the Legislative Council, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said the public supported measures proposed by Team Clean, and agreed that tougher penalties should be imposed to tackle public-health threats.

The team's target is to make Hong Kong brighter, and to maintain its competitive edge.

The Government will seek funds from the Finance Committee shortly for implementing the measures.

'Zero tolerance' for food-safety offenders

On food safety, Mr Tsang stressed the Government will not tolerate any improper practices which pose public-health hazards, adding that guidelines were re-issued last month to remind operators to observe food safety practices.

He also reiterated that frontline staff will continue to take stricter enforcement action against offenders.

Policy Address, Budget timetable discussed

At today's meeting, members also discussed the timetable for delivering the Policy Address and the Budget. Mr Tsang said the former will be released in January and the latter in March so that funding for new policies could be made available in the shortest time.

He believed the new arrangement will boost operational efficiency. The Financial Secretary will also be able to get relevant financial figures from major companies at the end of each year for devising revenue proposals and more accurate budget planning.

The Government values its partnership with legislators, Mr Tsang said, adding that he will continue discuss with them the long-term arrangements, if necessary.