Premier insults Opposition: 'Go do your own research on Bills'
Legislators were at the time debating the Cruising Permit (Amendment) Act, 2017 Bill, when Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), in making his contribution, told the House of Assembly (HoA) that he is uneasy supporting this bill without proper statistics and information.
While wrapping up the debate on the Bill, its sponsor Premier and Minister of Tourism Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) said "I was flabbergasted to hear the suggestion that the Members do not need to do their own research when they come into this House to discuss matters that are important to this country. I assume that all Members will take their time and do whatever research that is needed," the Premier said.
Not my job- Dr Smith
The Premier told the Legislative Body "every member is aware of all proposed bills." To this, on a point of privilege, Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA, (R3) stood up and chastised Premier Smith saying that "it is disturbing that the Premier would put forward such an argument, the information should be shared with us; we shouldn’t be begging for it and if we beg for it, it should be forthcoming..... Premier, I am now disappointed to hear you say that," Hon Fraser said.
However, the Premier continued to insist that the information is available and it is not his job to do research for the Opposition members.
Stop misleading the public-Hon Fahie
At this point Opposition Leader Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) rose to his feet on a point of information and accused Premier Smith of misleading the public. Hon Fahie told the HoA "information the government would have statistically, that you would need, the Opposition would not have it."
In another fire back to Premier Smith's statement, the Opposition Leader said "we can't get answers to questions in here when we ask, much less out there…"
The public, the media, civil society and the Opposition have long argued that the ruling National Democratic Party Government has not operated in a transparent way.
Even Governor John S. Duncan OBE has blasted the administration for the lack of a Freedom of Information Act promised some six years ago, and the Opposition has continued to assert they cannot get truthful answers to questions in Parliament.
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29 Responses to “Premier insults Opposition: 'Go do your own research on Bills'”
This is laughable! Orlando where the ..... will the Opposition get the resources from do research your Bills when you the one bringing them?
My sentiments, a real ass. But if you really know who wise up is personally you really won't surprise if his foolish @$$ comments at times.
We need to step up the level of the debate. Clearly we can see many come not prepared when u hear the piss that comes out their mouth.
The failure of the legislators to research or understand what they are debating, and the absence of any meaningful or effective (through no fault of their own, but by virtue of the numbers) opposition means that legislation is passed in forms which then require immediate re-think when more involved and interested stakeholders in society feed back on what the government has done (or even worse, legislation which would help the economy is held up unaccountably).
Sadly, there is a risk of looking like a bunch of amateurs, even though I truly believe many of the members of the house are amongst the best educated and most internationally minded people.