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Record-breaking HoA prorogued!

The Virgin Islands House of Assembly has been prorogued, effective October 2, 2020. Photo: Linton V. Leonard/HoA
This year's eventful House of Assembly climaxed with the swearing in of local Dawn J. Smith, centre, as the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands on October 1, 2020. Right is Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and left is Speaker Hon Julian Willock. Photo: Linton V. Leonard/HoA
This year's eventful House of Assembly climaxed with the swearing in of local Dawn J. Smith, centre, as the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands on October 1, 2020. Right is Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and left is Speaker Hon Julian Willock. Photo: Linton V. Leonard/HoA
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- His Excellency the Governor, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has prorogued the House of Assembly effective Friday, October 2, 2020, until such a time a new session is appointed.

To prorogue a legislative body is to discontinue the meetings without dissolving the House. While the House is prorogued, the legislature is still constituted.

Section 84 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 states that the Governor may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, prorogue the House of Assembly at any time, but he shall prorogue the House at least once every calendar year, except in any year when the House is dissolved.

Section 83 of the Constitution states that sessions of the House of Assembly shall be held at such times and places as the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, may appoint by proclamation published in the Gazette.

The proclamation was published in the Official Gazette on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

Section 82 of the constitution states that there shall be a session of the House from time to time, so that a period of three months does not intervene between the last sitting in one session and the first sitting of the next session.

Record-breaking HoA year

This year’s HoA sittings have been some of the most eventful and productive in years, with June 2020 alone seeing a record-breaking 15 pieces of legislation.

Those include legislation that previous governments and legislators have shunned for years, such as the Consumer Protection Act 2020; Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020; and the Cannabis Licencing Act 2020, the latter of which is yet to be assented to by the Governor.

Other legislation in June included the Stamp Duty Amendment Act 2020 and Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act 2020.

The last HoA year climaxed with the swearing-in of the first local Attorney General in 21 years, Ms Dawn J. Smith, on October 1, 2020.

14 Responses to “Record-breaking HoA prorogued!”

  • ccc (02/10/2020, 09:17) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    I disagree with joe Frazer this house has been very productive and jamming
  • National (02/10/2020, 09:43) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    wht was not the national anthen was not played at the swearing of the Attorney general you on the government side know what you all are doing Ms. Smith you have to straighten out the premier and his rules,The national anthem was not played but Premier, Speaker of the house and Attorney General was flanked with the Union Jack and Territirial flag this is a big offense th national anthem was not represented but ut was used Premier watch what you are doing that was a big assult. Do you know the use of the flag lord send hekp.Dawn please sit with the premier and let hin know the right from wrong. You cannot travel to another country if is been repredented by the bvi athletes for example cannot carry the national Union Jack because you have deleted itb but questions should be asked 1,HAS THE TERRITORIAL SONG GOT INTERNATIONAL CLARENCE FROM BRITIAN ENGLAND TO BE PLAYED, 2, HAS THE SONG HAS ANY INTERNATIONAL ATTRIBUTE OR LEVEL 3.DID THE PAST GOVERNMENT AND THIS PRESENT GOVERNMENT GET PERMISSION FROM ENGLAND TO OFFICALLY PLAY THE SONG ABROAD 4. WHAT IS THE THE VALUE OF THE SONG AND HOW TGAT SONG COULD HAVE BECOME A TERRITORIAL SONG WHEN IT WAS PLAYED OVER THE AIRWAVES FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR WHAT SHIT IS THIS. WHAT HAPPEN TO QUINCY AND PENN SONG THEY WERE SONGS THAT HAVE NEABING AND MORE TERRITORIAL, BUT ANDREW HOW COME NOW YOU ARE ACCPTING THE TERRITORIAL SONG REMEMBER YOU KICKED AGAINST IT LORD LOOK SHIT PEOPLE CAN REALLY CHANGE. ANDREW GET YOUR ASS TO GETHER BEFORE YOU ASS GET YOU TO GETHER. ANDREW PRENIER YOU REALLY DISAPOINT ME, THE NDP WAS BAD BUT YOU ARE BECOMING JUST LIKE THEM.ANDREW STOP GOING ON THE RADIO TALKING A BAG OF ASSHENES AND GO FETYOUR STSTICS CORRECT NOOT SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY WAS NOT GOOD IT IS BAD, ASK YOUR SELF A LONG QUESTION CAN THE TERITORIAK SONG SAVE THE BVI INTRENATIONALY, GET UT CORRECTED AND STRAIGHT.
    • HS (02/10/2020, 10:38) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      You a real House Slave. The UK own u not me. Emancipate youself from this colonial mentality. Bout permission from Uk for everything. sad to say even when africans were fighting to be feee from chattel slavery there were some negroes fighting to stay in slavery, noting has change but the fight to be totally free must continue, even when independence is achieved...racism and racism injustice will still be there with the big stick waiting. Brother Bob: 'Emancipate youself from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our mind. Have no fear for atomic energy, 'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time. How long shall they kill our prophets, While we stand aside and look? Yes, SOME SAY IT'S JUST A PART OF IT: We've got to fullfil the book. Won't you have to sing This songs of freedom?'
    • Manabouttown (02/10/2020, 18:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      National I appreciated and applauded you on some very important points. We are being governed by the United Kingdom and must followed and adhere to the principles and the rules of law as an democratic elected government .
  • Youth (02/10/2020, 09:44) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
    The Government has taken the House of Assembly to a higher level. They have accomplished a lot.
  • Clearly (02/10/2020, 09:45) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Plenty positive things have been accomplished by this Government in the House of Assembly
  • andrew (02/10/2020, 12:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is totally in positive motion for the people of the bvi ..I ss a youth can see .but he only can see the great river to cross
  • lol (02/10/2020, 12:32) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Not dissolved?
    • @ lol (03/10/2020, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Keep dreaming but when the happens in 2023 it still will be vip all the way all day
  • Blackbeauty (02/10/2020, 13:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We have seen some accomplishments but there are many more rivers to cross.

    It is important that the Government have more dialogue with the people and businesses.

    The bickering in the HOA must stop. It is very embarrassment locally and internationally.

    Lastly, Premier seek the face of God for direction to move the BVI during these trying times.
  • from buckingham palace (03/10/2020, 15:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Again,we do not want to accept uk soveveignty in the uk's BRITISH virgin islands,but all you see in this photo is uk flags.so who are we,uk or what?
  • Anonymous (03/10/2020, 18:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big ups to the speaker and premier job well done


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