Opposition walks out of HoA after motion passed to amend Order Paper
During today’s Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, the Opposition objected to the motion for the Q&A segment to be reordered.
Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said the Opposition was not going to tolerate the motion.
House Speaker Hon Corine N. George-Massicote said that given there was no compromise between the two sides of the House, the matter would go to a division of votes of the House.
Premier moved motion to amend Order Paper
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had originally moved a motion for the Q&A segment to be moved down on the Order Paper to add an item, Resolution for Supplementary Appropriation (Act) 3 of 2023.
The move sparked criticism from the Opposition Leader, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), who said it showed the Government had no respect for the Opposition.
The Premier argued, however, that the matter was the opposite and that “it was out of no disrespect to the members of the Opposition we are reordering the order paper. Actually, it’s the opposite, it’s a great deal of respect for our public officers who have expressed their concerns formally that the amount of questions posed by the Opposition Members has made it onerous for them to complete the task in a short period of time,” he said.
The Premier added that the relegation of the Q&A section was only done so that the Opposition and the public could get accurate answers to the questions.
Opposition loses votes in HoA & walks out
Following more criticisms from Opposition Members, the matter was moved to a division of the House, where the Government side prevailed at the end of the vote with the amendment of the paper, resulting in the Opposition walking out of the House.
The Members who walked out include the Opposition Leader Hon Skelton, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon Stacy M. Mather (AL), Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).
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42 Responses to “Opposition walks out of HoA after motion passed to amend Order Paper”
1) Ronnie, Myron, Mitch, and Marlon were all members of the NDP who made this action a regular when they were in government at every session of the House of Assembly. So how come all of a sudden the shoe is on the other foot it is a problem. They are only reaping what they sowed.
2) The action is legal as it is allowed under the laws of the House of Assembly once the majority agrees. It does not mean the questions will not be asked but it will be done later in the proceedings of the House of Assembly. The rules do not need everyone's approval, just the majority.
This is nothing new nor nothing illegal. The Opposition needs to sit down in the House and do the people's work and stop this unnecessary show hoping to gain political points. We the people are hurting and need representation, NOT A SHOW!
Because her power increased.
So who really benefitting?
This set seem to ban together for stupidness that don’t benefit the country but couldn’t ban together to form the government.
Any of you understand the actual issue? Any of you understand why it is important that the border Paper not be changed? The order paper is the people business. When government changes that then the people’s concerns do not get heard!
Government wants to change the order paper just to get their hands on more money and so they wouldn’t have to answer Opposition questions about the many issues affecting us the people.
So instead of criticizing the Opposition we should applaud them for standing up for us!
My goodness mr politician it is because of you guys the people of this territory got overshadowed in this C. O. I and before you all come together just look at the conduct with House of Assembly
Hear this well; when it come to matters associated with money not a man walks out of that sitting especially if it involves a raise in pay for mr politician
i hope walking out rectified whatever the problem is
Ronney such a prick