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KINGSTON — Parliament will be prorogued on Monday, April 11, to pave the way for the colourful State Opening of the 2011/12 session on Thursday, April 14. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon Sir Patrick Allen, will deliver the Throne Speech outlining the Government’s plans for the new fiscal year, on Thursday, April 14, after inspecting a Jamaica Defence Force...

KINGSTON — The Senate, on Friday April 1, passed the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2011, paving the way for the Government to unify the system of tax administration through the establishment of Tax Administration Jamaica. The Bill, which was piloted by Senator Arthur Williams,also provides for the creation of the posts of commissioner general and at least three deputy commissioners....

KINGSTON — Following the passage of the Charter of Rights Bill in the Senate on April 1, an accompanying Bill - the Constitution Amendment Act - which seeks to amend Sections 90 and 91 of the Jamaican Constitution, was subsequently approved. The Charter of Rights Bill repeals and replaces Chapter Three of the Jamaican Constitution, while the Constitution Amendment Act...

KINGSTON — The Senate stamped its seal of approval on the monumental Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Bill on Friday April 1, after two days of meetings at Gordon House. The Upper Chamber followed the trend set by the Lower House last week, with all members present, Government and Opposition, voting in favour of the provisions of the Charter,...

KINGSTON – Debate on the long awaited Charter of Fundamental Rights which began in the Senate on Thursday March 31 is expected to close this afternoon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who is piloting the legislation, has explained that the Bill will replace Chapter Three of the Jamaican Constitution, noting that it was a “truly a...

KINGSTON – The Government is currently exploring the adoption of a quota system to increase women's level of representation in the Senate, to at least 30 per cent. The proposal is included in the National Policy for Gender Equality, which was recently adopted by the Cabinet, and would be expected to extend to women’s representation in the House of Representatives,...

A Bill seeking to establish a unified domestic tax administration under an entity to be known as Tax Administration Jamaica was approved in the House of Representatives on Tuesday March 29. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, who piloted the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act 2011 through the Lower House, informed that this Bill will strengthen the country’s capacity and improve...

KINGSTON – The Senate is slated to meet two days this week to facilitate passage of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (Constitutional Amendments) Act 2011 and conclude other matters on the 2010/11 legislative agenda. The two-day sitting on Thursday March 31 and Friday April 1 was proposed by Leader of Government Business, Senator Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, following concerns...

KINGSTON – The Senate on  Friday March 25, passed the National Insurance Validation Amendment Bill 2011, during its sitting at Gordon House. Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne,  who piloted the Bill, explained that it aims to validate and confirm the payment of certain benefits made in good faith by persons acting on behalf of...

KINGSTON – The Senate has approved amendments to the Terrorism Prevention Act, to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to list persons or entities as terrorists, following the approval of the Supreme Court. The Bill, titled the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2011, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday March 22 and in the Senate on Friday...

KINGSTON – The House of Representatives has given the Government approval to withdraw a sum totalling $328.9 million from the Capital Development Fund (CDF) for budgetary support to the Consolidated Fund, for the financial year 2010/11. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, who moved the Resolution in the Lower House on Tuesday. March 22, informed that the amount to be...

KINGSTON – Parliament passed the long delayed Charter of Rights Bill, which aims to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Jamaican citizens, at Gordon House on Tuesday March 22. The Bill replaces chapter three of the Jamaican Constitution. It received 51 votes from the Members of Parliament (MPs), including the Speaker, the Hon Delroy Chuck. Eight MPs were absent....