‘What start wrong, can’t end right’- Hon Turnbull blasts changes to Register of Interest Bill
Hon Turnbull speaking during yesterday’s March 8, 2024, Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly said enough consultations did not happen on the way forward for the amendments to take effect properly.
He said for senior officers like Permanent Secretaries, Financial Secretary and others on statutory boards, the amendments won't apply to them.
Further, the legislator complained that the original Registers of Interests bill that came after the CoI had no consultation then and had to be sent back to the drawing board.
“We are here yet again with another amendment and this time it seems that adjustments have been made to not include all public officers, but to include a select few,” he said about the current amendments.
Bill must be done properly - Hon Turnbull
Meanwhile, Hon Turnbull added that while he will not go against further measures that would protect, promote, and preserve the VI, he cannot support the bill in its current form.
He detailed that the bill must be done properly to ensure all types of public officers are covered under the new amendments.
"I'm not going to go against any measure that is in the best interest of the people of the VI, but what I'm going to stand up on the side.... to ensure that while we are putting good government measures in place, that we are executing it properly, transparently and ensuring that the education and understanding of those who will be affected are clear," he said.
The amendments to the bill also face criticism from other members of the opposition who called for more to be covered.
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