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New Financial Year This new session of Parliament opens against the backdrop of a global economic recovery that is proving to be slow, uneven and uncertain. The significant increases which we have recently been experiencing in the cost of imported oil and grain are a worrying reminder of what took place in 2008 when these prices reached record levels and...

KINGSTON — The State Opening of Parliament will take place on April 14, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen will deliver the Throne Speech, in which he will outline the government’s programmes and policies for the 2011/12 Fiscal Year, which began on April 1. Later in the afternoon, Minister of Finance and the...

KINGSTON — The Senate, on April 7, approved amendments to a bill, which will exempt certain categories of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals from the work permit requirement. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) (Amendment) Act, said the changes are in keeping with Chapter Three of the...

KINGSTON — The Senate on April 8 approved a report from a Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the review of Jamaica's libel laws. The contents of the report will now go to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for the Bill to be prepared, which will then be signed off on by Cabinet. Minister of State for Finance and the Public...

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives on April 5, even after a lengthy session that started minutes to 11:00 a.m., was unable to pass the Corruption Prevention (Special Prosecutor) Act as members could not come to a consensus on several concerns raised. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, who piloted the Bill, conceded at 5:00 p.m. that it would not...

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives passed 36 pieces of legislation in the 2010/2011 parliamentary year. This was disclosed by Leader of Government Business in the Lower House, Hon. Andrew Holness on Tuesday April 5, who said the just concluded legislative year was an active one. He said of note was the passage of laws to facilitate the proper management...

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,...