House Approves Carryover Motion

The House of Representatives on May 1 approved a motion allowing unfinished business on the Order Paper to be carried over into in the new session of Parliament.

The move serves to signal that sittings of Parliament will the prorogued soon for the 2012/ 13 session to begin.

Leader of Government Business in the Lower House, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, explained that the move will allow for motions already on the Order Paper to be dealt with when the new session opens.

The carry over motion will also allow committees established during the last session of Parliament to continue their work. “The composition of all these committees will remain unchanged, except where necessary, by further motion taken and approved by this honourable house,” Mr. Paulwell said.

Prorogation means to bring a session of Parliament to an end without dissolving it.

Parliament is normally prorogued in March ahead of the start of the new fiscal year in April.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer informed in April, that the Estimates of Expenditure would be tabled on May 10.

Before the Estimates are tabled, the Governor General will deliver the Throne Speech the same day, signalling the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, will open the Budget Debate on May 24.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter