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Prime Minister of Jamaica keeps promise - Opposition invited to chair six House committees
published: Friday | September 28, 2007
Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator
The framework for good governance advanced by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was put in motion yesterday with Prime Minister Bruce Golding inviting the Opposition to name Members of Parliament to chair at least six select committees of Parliament.
Concurrently, Mr. Golding took initial steps to amend the Standing Orders to give every member the opportunity to make statements to the House.
Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, in the opening session of the Lower House, sent a clear signal that the Opposition would uphold the Constitution, defend the laws of Jamaica and ensure that the rights of Jamaicans were protected.
"A strong Opposition must focus on the administration like a laser beam, looking for the loopholes and flaws. We will stand guard over the public purse and the public interest," Mrs. Simpson Miller said. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]
At yesterday's first sitting of the House following the JLPs election victory on September 3, Mr. Golding said action would now be taken to change the structure of Parliament.
"We do not strengthen Parliament if that strength is to be exerted by the governing majority in Parliament - the strength of Parliament is a coefficient of the strength of the Opposition."
The select committees to be chaired by Opposition members include Public Administration and Appropriations, the Public Accounts, the Internal and External Affairs, the Economy and Production, the Human Resources and Social Development and the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee.
Prime Minister Golding also addressed the contentious issue of private members' motions, which sometimes remain on the Order Paper of Parliament for extended periods and eventually fall off without being debated.
He said the Standing Orders would be amended to set time limits for debating these motions before the House. "Within that time limit that resolution must be debated and there must be sanctions if that requirement is not adhered to," Mr. Golding added.
A comprehensive review of the Standing Orders would be done, according to the Prime Minister, advising his parliamentary colleagues that Leader of Government Business, Derrick Smith, would take a resolution to the House next week for the Standing Orders Committee, when appointed, to review the rules.
On another long-standing matter, Mr. Golding said his administration had plans to construct a new Parliament building within the next five years.
He said the Government would acquire parcels of land from the intersection of Beeston and Duke Streets to construct the new building.
He said the office of Leader of the Opposition would be elevated to a similar rank as Deputy Prime Minister.
The current administration has also announced plans to elevate the positions of Speaker of the House and President of the Senate to the rank of Cabinet ministers.
Deputy Speaker of the House and Deputy President of the Senate will also share equal status as ministers of state.
However, Mr. Golding stressed that this would not affect the respective emoluments of the office holders.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Simpson Miller said the Opposition PNP would be vibrant, vigilant and vocal in Parliament.
"There is a mistaken view that the Opposition must quietly blend into the shape and colour of the administration," she said, arguing that that was not the role of the Opposition.
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published: Friday | September 28, 2007
Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator
The framework for good governance advanced by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was put in motion yesterday with Prime Minister Bruce Golding inviting the Opposition to name Members of Parliament to chair at least six select committees of Parliament.
Concurrently, Mr. Golding took initial steps to amend the Standing Orders to give every member the opportunity to make statements to the House.
Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, in the opening session of the Lower House, sent a clear signal that the Opposition would uphold the Constitution, defend the laws of Jamaica and ensure that the rights of Jamaicans were protected.
"A strong Opposition must focus on the administration like a laser beam, looking for the loopholes and flaws. We will stand guard over the public purse and the public interest," Mrs. Simpson Miller said. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]
At yesterday's first sitting of the House following the JLPs election victory on September 3, Mr. Golding said action would now be taken to change the structure of Parliament.
"We do not strengthen Parliament if that strength is to be exerted by the governing majority in Parliament - the strength of Parliament is a coefficient of the strength of the Opposition."
The select committees to be chaired by Opposition members include Public Administration and Appropriations, the Public Accounts, the Internal and External Affairs, the Economy and Production, the Human Resources and Social Development and the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee.
Prime Minister Golding also addressed the contentious issue of private members' motions, which sometimes remain on the Order Paper of Parliament for extended periods and eventually fall off without being debated.
He said the Standing Orders would be amended to set time limits for debating these motions before the House. "Within that time limit that resolution must be debated and there must be sanctions if that requirement is not adhered to," Mr. Golding added.
A comprehensive review of the Standing Orders would be done, according to the Prime Minister, advising his parliamentary colleagues that Leader of Government Business, Derrick Smith, would take a resolution to the House next week for the Standing Orders Committee, when appointed, to review the rules.
On another long-standing matter, Mr. Golding said his administration had plans to construct a new Parliament building within the next five years.
He said the Government would acquire parcels of land from the intersection of Beeston and Duke Streets to construct the new building.
He said the office of Leader of the Opposition would be elevated to a similar rank as Deputy Prime Minister.
The current administration has also announced plans to elevate the positions of Speaker of the House and President of the Senate to the rank of Cabinet ministers.
Deputy Speaker of the House and Deputy President of the Senate will also share equal status as ministers of state.
However, Mr. Golding stressed that this would not affect the respective emoluments of the office holders.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Simpson Miller said the Opposition PNP would be vibrant, vigilant and vocal in Parliament.
"There is a mistaken view that the Opposition must quietly blend into the shape and colour of the administration," she said, arguing that that was not the role of the Opposition.
[email protected]
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