The Special Select Committee of the Senate appointed to review a Private Member's Motion on the proposal for an Elderly Care and Protection Act is urging the public to participate in the process by making submissions. With the reality of Jamaica’s ageing population, the work of the Committee to develop proposals to create the law critically underscores the need for...

The Public Procurement (Amendment) Act 2025, which aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in the country’s procurement process, was approved in the Senate recently. The legislation was approved with four amendments. Piloting the Bill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, explained that it will significantly advance the Government’s reform agenda and transform very positively...

Newly appointed Senators, Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks and Hon. Delano Seiveright were on Monday (March 17) officially appointed Minister and State Minister, respectively. They took the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance during a swearing in ceremony held at King’s House, which was presided over by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. Prime Minister, Dr....

The Senate passed legislation on March 14 to exempt locally recruited World Bank employees from paying income tax. The legislation, an Act to Amend the Bretton Woods Agreement Act, was piloted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, during the Senate’s sitting at Gordon...

Former Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, was today (March 14) sworn in as a Government Senator in the Upper House. Senator Marks was warmly welcomed by her colleagues after she took the Oath of Allegiance. President of the Senate, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, congratulated Ambassador Marks on her appointment. “You and I have had a long relationship,...

The Senate on Friday (February 28) passed the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which seeks to grant parish status to the Portmore City Municipality, making it Jamaica’s 15th parish. The legislation was passed after 10 Government members voted in favour of it, with four Opposition members voting against it, following the call for divide. Four Senators were absent. Piloting...

The Bill to amend the Counties and Parishes Act 2025 to declare the city municipality of Portmore the 15th parish of Jamaica, and for connected matters, was tabled in the Senate on Friday (February 21). Three other Bills were also tabled. They are an Act to amend the Bretton Woods Agreement Act 2025 to exempt locally recruited employees of the...