The government must prove it can deal with the new Budget, Cope said on Wednesday.

"Government must lead the way. They must show that they can spend taxpayers' money properly," Congress of the People MP Nick Koornhof said after the 2012/13 budget was tabled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

"We are all in this, all South Africans. I think we must do it together."

He said it was important for the Congress of SA Trade Unions to support the budget.

"It is very important that Cosatu supports him [Gordhan] now. If they don't do it, we are going to have trouble with regards to the state wage bill."

Various anti-corruption measures would help save government funds.

"If his [Gordhan's] anti-corruption measures work, we can save up to a hundred billion rand. That is a lot of money," Koornhof said.