Leader of Government Business Pleased with Work Done During 2012/13

Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has expressed satisfaction at the level of work completed during the past legislative year in the Lower House.

“We did reasonably good work this session and we intend to work even harder in the upcoming (2013/14) legislative year,” Mr. Paulwell said.

However, he expressed disappointment at the delay in passing legislation covering areas such as campaign financing and the registration of political parties.

“I must state, with regret, that we have not achieved any of these two; even though, in relation to the registration of political parties, I now know that a draft Bill is ready. It was subject to further amendments recently and that’s the reason why there have been some delays in getting it to this (year’s session of) Parliament. But as soon as we resume in the next session we will be in a position to examine that Bill,” he stated.

Mr. Paulwell, who is also Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, was speaking during Tuesday’s (March 26) sitting of the House of Representatives.

In relation to the campaign financing Bill, he noted that this is not yet ready as the matter was “referred back to the political parties”.

“I am now aware that one of the parties has responded positively, so we are awaiting the response of the other party; and as soon as we get both, then we will proceed to issue drafting instructions,” the Minister said.

Thirty-one Orders and Regulations were approved this legislative year. Of the 34 private members’ motions, 16 were approved and two were referred to committees, while 31 of 35 questions posed by members were answered. The Minister was not able to say how many Bills were tabled and passed as figures are still being tallied.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter