Government ran a current account deficit of $67 million in the last fiscal year, according to figures released in the Senate on Wednesday.

The latest data on Government's revenue and expenditure was contained in answers to parliamentary questions tabled by Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley.

The figures show that Government's total revenue for the past fiscal year was $917 million, some $17 million short of the original estimate. Meanwhile, capital expenditure (monies spent on the everyday operation of Government) was $984 million — 0.4 percent below Budget projections.

Responding to the figures, Sen. Dunkley said he was troubled by the current account deficit.

"Past governments, both PLP and UBP, have always had a history of making sure that the current account is balanced or had a surplus," said Sen. Dunkley, who speaks on finance matters in the Upper House.

"The PLP track record under Minister Paula Cox has show in recent years a current account deficit. Simply put they have spent more than they earned! The man in the street is unable to do it but the Government does it and in the process increases the debt burden.

"This is all further proof that the PLP has mismanaged this economy. It is clear that we must get back to basics… we must do better, as the current approach of the PLP is putting an anchor around future generations."

The answers tabled by Senator Kim Wilson also provide the latest information on Government's debt, a topic that was brought in to focus by the recent bond issue. Sen. Wilson revealed that Government's total debt outstanding at the close of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, was $826 million — although this figure excluded Government guarantees.

Government's debt net of the Sinking Fund was $764 million, or 12.7 percent of GDP.