From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Nottage Communication on Four Constitutional Bills Before Parliament‏
Nov 19, 2014 - 4:10:35 PM
Nassau, Bahamas - House Communication by Dr. The Hon.
Bernard J. Nottage Member for Bain & Grants Town - An update on the
four Constitutional Bills before Parliament Nov. 19th, 2014:
Mr. Speaker:
This morning I wish to re-affirm the Government's commitment to the four Constitutional Reform Bills that are still before this Honourable House awaiting committal, third reading and passing.
Let us not lose sight of the fact that these bills, both individually and collectively, give expression to a grounding principle of Bahamian civilization in the 21st century; a principle that is absolutely fundamental to our humanity, our moral and social values, and our sense of what is both necessary and right as we chart our way forward as an enlightened people under God.
I refer, of course, to the principle that holds that men and women are equal. It's as simple as that. And distilled to their essence, the four bills are indeed as simple as that. They're not about marriage, nor are they fundamentally even about citizenship. Instead they're about equality between men and women. They're about making sure that we don't discriminate against women in relation to men, and that we don't discriminate against men in relation to women; that instead we treat them both equally. That's what it is all about; that's the principle that is at stake here.
And make no mistake about, Mr. Speaker: we in the Government remain determined, with the support of the Opposition, to see this principle of equality reflected as a golden thread in the constitutional fabric of our Commonwealth.
When I last addressed this Honourable House on this subject, Mr. Speaker, I indicated that further dialogue was to be had with those members of the House, particularly in the Opposition, who might still be having difficulty with certain of the Bills, specifically Bill #4.
Since that time, of course, distracting events have been unfolding; events that will, however, have run their course by this weekend, after which there is every reason to believe that conditions will be more conducive to consultation with the relevant Opposition members on the outstanding issues.
I hasten to add that I do not mention this as any sort of criticism of the Opposition. I only mention it to explain the quite understandable reluctance of the Constitutional Commission to engage Opposition members at a time when they are distracted by other matters. And I also mention it to once again underscore how vitally important it is for bipartisanship to drive this process.
Bipartisanship is essential for success in a national referendum of this kind. Let's make no mistake about that either. That has always been the Government's position and I believe it is the Opposition's view as well.
I should also add that since the House last met various organizations in civil society have communicated an interest in engaging in direct dialogue with members of Parliament as well -whether on the Government side or on the Opposition side or both - who may be having difficulties with any of the Bills. The Government welcomes such an intervention and the Constitutional Commission has indicated that it fully supports it as well.
In the meantime, the public education programme of the Constitutional Commission, especially in the Family Islands and among religious, civic, business and social groups throughout the country, continues to gather pace. Indeed plans call for this programme to be expanded in the new year.
Mr. Speaker, further announcements on this important subject will be made as events may warrant.
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