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‘We cannot continue to rush legislation in HoA’ – Hon Penn

Opposition Legislator, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called on the Government to consider more time when passing legislation in the House, so that those on whom the bill will have implications will have time to understand legislation that is subject to them. Photo: VINO/File
The Government of the Virgin Islands has been accused of rushing legislation to meet the deadlines for the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations. Photo: VINO/File
The Government of the Virgin Islands has been accused of rushing legislation to meet the deadlines for the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Opposition Legislator Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called on the Government to consider more time when passing legislation in the House of Assembly (HoA) so that those whom the bill will have implications on will have time to understand the legislation.

“We cannot continue to come to this House [and] rush through legislation that is going to have huge implications on the well-being of the public and the people who is going to be impacted without any kind of consultation,” Hon Penn told the House during the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on March 7, 2024.

Adding to the pile of Opposition criticisms surrounding the Registers of Interest Amendment Bill, Hon Penn said while public servants don’t have a problem with being subject to the Register, they still need a conversation.

“The civil servants that I've spoken to that reached out to me since we've been in this House and said we have no challenge in terms of having to have to register, but they require a conversation, a proper conversation that even we in this House, the members who are tied to responsibility to pass this bill have not had.” 

Pile of criticisms from the opposition 

Mr Penn’s criticisms followed that of Opposition Legislator Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), who said the Government is rushing legislation to meet the deadlines for the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations.

Like Hon Penn, Hon Walwyn said there is a rush without proper consideration for the implications of decisions to the detriment of the people subjected to said legislation.

“So we're here today standing with the responsibility, to past this piece of legislation and this amendments and the far-reaching implications of its amendment without having the benefit of a conversation with the drafter,” Hon Penn said.  

“Premier and your government, let us have a conversation with the public servants. Let us have a conversation with the principals who drafted the bill. Let us understand where we're doing and what our intentions are, to ensure that we do not disenfranchise persons and violate their constitutional rights,“ he said.

7 Responses to “‘We cannot continue to rush legislation in HoA’ – Hon Penn”

  • Stop It (12/03/2024, 13:12) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    Smurf needs to stop grandstanding. Now if government fails to pass these legislations by the CoI implementation deadline, this same Smurf and the power hungry Opposition will be bashing the Government about failing to meet the deadlines, and lamenting all sorts nonsense. We need mature politicians in the HoA please. The public tired being taken for fools.
  • GateKeeper (12/03/2024, 13:24) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Concur with Hon Marlon Penn , D-8 Rep in regards to rushing legislation. On OG educated me that if want some bad, it will turn out bad..Legislation should only be rushed if there is an emergent need to do so. For routine legislation, the Opposition, the people—-consent of the governed, etc should be given reasonable and ample to review,,perused legislation so that when it is brought to the floor it can be well debated. Let’s not dl
    Slaughter the right of the people, opposition to be informed on the altar of convenience, sacrificing clarity, etc.
  • 2024 (12/03/2024, 14:18) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    seams like the NDP affiliates have lots to says during sitting of House of Assembly……The NDP administration is the part of the cause why we are where we today under a microscope
  • tola (12/03/2024, 15:06) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    But you all was quick to rush the greedy bill . Things to talk
    • @tola (12/03/2024, 16:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      &Tola, whatever happened to the Greedy Bill? Both Government and Opposition seem affordably quiet, gone underground hoping we will forget it? Was it an election gimmick? On this issue, government and opposition 6 of one , half a dozen the same.
  • @@Tola (12/03/2024, 21:01) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The bill is alive and well and filling the politrickans pockets and bank accounts. While, increments. money goin in thecronies pockets. The rest of us should not expect nothing because they set aside nothing for us but four more years. Then,when four years pass, the will tell us wait four more years while the feast and fattened their stomachs.

    That was the agenda their now imprisoned former leader went in with. They are simply continuing the/their agenda.

    Clearly, the civil servants, their increment and life are no concern for them.

    It is said that politics are a means to get rich quick and they are proving it true, with not an ounce of humaness in them for the people, especially those who done work decades for monies they are not ever going to get by this current crew.

    It is hoed that the voters give them the NDP treatment. Vote all ah dem out wholesale. Sick ah dem now!
    • GateKeeper (13/03/2024, 09:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      To @@Tola, the consent of the governed permits the egregious, insulting, self-serving attitude and behaviour of greedy politicians. The governed have the power to hold politicians accountable and effect change but ithey are either ill-informed, slopping at the trough or show an indifference to what is going on with pubic affairs, civic engagement. The consent of the govern let themselves be bamboozled by the do nothing underperforming politicians. The silence by both government and opposition politicians is deafening. A half-hearted attempt to fix the Greedy Biil was made but in the end it was left up to the voluntary effort o members, asking rats to mind the the cheese. The rates will mine the cheese for sure..


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