Time to ‘turn a new page’ on multiple bill readings in one sitting– Hon Fraser
Hon Fraser was at the time speaking at the Continuation of the Eighth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on November 24, 2022, at the Financial Services Resource Centre, Jones building, in Pasea Estate, Tortola.
“This first, second and third reading thing, I trust that the Premier has really and truly seriously re-considered the practice,” he told the House during the debates of the Insolvency Amendment Act 2022.
Hon Fraser added that there is no rational expectation to call a sitting and pass a bill the same day. He added that even though the current premier has met the system that way, it is one that should change.
According to the legislator, bills require meaningful discussions and that cannot happen once a bill is rushed, especially bills like the one that was being debated.
No more rushed bulls - Hon Fraser
The senior legislator noted that for bills like the Liquor Licensing Act, there are consultations; however, there is none for a bill relating to financial services.
He further questioned whether the House thinks people could only relate to bottles more than finances.
In a House of Assembly sitting on October 18, 2022, the Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) warned against last-minute emergency bills coming to the HoA.
She said while more persons might have recommendations for the bill, those recommendations cannot be taken if the bill is rushed. The bill in that case had emanated from the Deputy Governor's Office.
Deputy Speaker, Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) also called for advanced screenings of bills ahead of time so that legislators can understand them more ahead of them reaching the House.
"I don't like it, and we have to change the way things are being done in this house," he added.
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