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Public Service Management Bill 2024 must not conflict with constitution- Premier

- said bill will receive many changes in Committee Stage
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has acknowledged comments from both the Government and Opposition sides of the aisle that the Public Service Management Bill 2024 requires some changes before it can be passed in the House of Assembly. Photo: GIS/File
Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) described the Public Service Management Bill as unconstitutional. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) described the Public Service Management Bill as unconstitutional. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has acknowledged comments from both the Government and Opposition sides of the aisle that the Public Service Management Bill 2024 requires some changes before it can be passed in the House of Assembly.

One of the acknowledgements is that the bill in its current form is in conflict with the constitution. This was a point raised by Third District Representative and Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA, who said there is a provision that appears to give the Governor the authority to delegate the responsibility of the public service entirely to the Deputy Governor.

“There have been excellent points that all the members have provided…and I believe it's a lot clearer what has to be done in the committee stage, Madam Speaker. Quite obviously, we have to make some changes based on what the Member for the Third [District] said, adding that legislators cannot support a bill that narrows or enlarges what the constitution has provided.

“Certainly, you have to make those changes and by the time we finish, we should have a document that in no way is in conflict with the constitution. That is the rule before us, Madam Speaker,” Dr Wheatley stated.

It’s up to the Governor to assent or not- Premier

The Premier emphasised that while the time is limited for the bill to be passed, it will leave the House of Assembly in a state that is in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands.

“You might be annoyed at the state of it when it comes here. We may be in stark disagreement with how it came here but the reality is our main responsibility is to make sure by the time it leaves the House of Assembly it leaves the way it's supposed to leave and then the governor will have a decision to make us to whether he will assent or not.” Dr Wheatley stated.

The Bill was brought to the House of Assembly by the Premier on behalf of the Deputy Governor’s Office.

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