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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
When the House last met on the 20th May 2015, debate on the Petroleum Act was suspended pending the addition of amendments the opposition claimed were necessary to facilitate a full and proper debate on the bill. The amendments were delivered to opposition members but they claimed that they did not have sufficient time to review the amendments so debate on the Petroleum Bill was deferred.
The existing bill, number 138 on the House agenda, was withdrawn by its sponsor, the member for Southern Shores and the newly amended bill was introduced and read for the first time effectively paving the way for a full House debate on the Petroleum Bill. The long title of the bill reads as follows: “A Bill for an Act to provide for the exploration and production of petroleum and for matters incidental thereto.”
The State Minister for Finance and member for Golden Isles the Hon. Michael Halkitis tabled a resolution for a government guaranteed loan in the amount of $35 million for the Public Hospital Authority to improve the country’s health infrastructure in preparation for the introduction of National Health Insurance (NHI). The first phase is scheduled for introduction in January 2016.
The member for Englerston paid tribute to the life and work of former Senator Mizpah Tertulien. Her body will lie in the foyer of the Senate on Thursday, 28th May 2015 and her remains will be funeralized and interred at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on Friday, 29th May 2015.
The member for St. Annes and chair of the Public Accounts Committee the Hon. Hubert Chipman delivered a presentation on the status of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the wake of the ruling of the House Speaker which the chair of the PAC publicly disagreed with and said that he would seek legal advice on. In his presentation, the PAC chair accused the government of failing to provide information required by law; claimed that the Speaker’s decision was in error and that the work of the PAC will continue including the issuance of subpoenas to appear before the PAC.
The member for Fox Hill the Hon. Fred Mitchell rose on a point of order and made an intervention essentially pointing out that if a member disagrees with the ruling of a speaker then that member or members must bring a substantive motion to the House to bring a vote of no confidence against the Speaker.
Mitchell also wanted to know specifically what statute was breached by the government in providing information that was “required by law.” Mitchell also commented on the separation of powers by stating that the speaker can secure legal advice from any source he wishes and that such a decision does not in any way affect the separation of powers. Also, the member for Fox Hill said that the only way a subpoena issued by the PAC can be enforced is through the House according to the law. He said this in response to the declaration by St. Annes that the work of PAC will continue and they will subpoena individuals to appear. He referred to Section 14 of the Powers and Privileges Act or the Immunities Act as support for his position.
The member for St. Annes did not respond to point of order by Fox Hill and advised the chair that he will not continue with his presentation.
In the end the speaker did not expunge the presentation by the member for St. Annes from the records of the House, but characterized the presentation as contemptuous to the chair; disrespectful to the chair; ultra virus the rules of the House and that the presentation did cast aspersions on the chair.
The House was suspended until 10 am on Wednesday, 27th May 2015 where the Honourable member for Centerville and Bahamas Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie is scheduled will deliver the budget communication for the government’s 2015/2016 fiscal year. Please stay tuned.
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