Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has accused the government of abusing House of Assembly procedures by repeatedly extending the current session and delaying opportunities for legislators to question ministers.
Speaking during the House sitting held earlier in the week, Penn said the current session, which began on January 15, has now stretched for five months, with the Order Paper amended more than 15 times.
“That raises an even deeper question for me,” Penn said. "This is a gross abuse of the Standing Orders and the process, and it’s something that needs to be addressed.”
Penn also noted that Members have gone more than 10 months without being able to ask questions in the House.
“I just want to place on the record that the government is making this House an extension of the executive. It’s a dangerous practice. It’s not good for democracy or good governance, and we have to address it moving forward,” he stated.
The Opposition Leader argued that such procedural changes should be used sparingly and accused the government of abusing the process.
However, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley defended the extended session, saying the government had been focused on urgent and time sensitive matters, including relief measures for residents.
“The sitting has gone long, but the latter part of this session has been committed to providing relief to the people of the Virgin Islands based on the conflict that we’ve had,” Wheatley said.
The Premier pointed to several major matters debated during the session, including the Constitutional Review Commission report, the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Authority legislation and consumer protection measures.
“We’ve done quite impactful, important and time sensitive things during this session,” Wheatley said.
He added that once the current legislative business is completed, Members will again have the opportunity to ask questions in the House.
“Yes, it has gone long, but we are not living in ordinary times right now. We had immediate challenges that needed to be addressed, and we have addressed those,” Wheatley stated.
Speaking during the House sitting held earlier in the week, Penn said the current session, which began on January 15, has now stretched for five months, with the Order Paper amended more than 15 times.
“That raises an even deeper question for me,” Penn said. "This is a gross abuse of the Standing Orders and the process, and it’s something that needs to be addressed.”
Penn also noted that Members have gone more than 10 months without being able to ask questions in the House.
“I just want to place on the record that the government is making this House an extension of the executive. It’s a dangerous practice. It’s not good for democracy or good governance, and we have to address it moving forward,” he stated.
The Opposition Leader argued that such procedural changes should be used sparingly and accused the government of abusing the process.
However, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley defended the extended session, saying the government had been focused on urgent and time sensitive matters, including relief measures for residents.
“The sitting has gone long, but the latter part of this session has been committed to providing relief to the people of the Virgin Islands based on the conflict that we’ve had,” Wheatley said.
The Premier pointed to several major matters debated during the session, including the Constitutional Review Commission report, the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Authority legislation and consumer protection measures.
“We’ve done quite impactful, important and time sensitive things during this session,” Wheatley said.
He added that once the current legislative business is completed, Members will again have the opportunity to ask questions in the House.
“Yes, it has gone long, but we are not living in ordinary times right now. We had immediate challenges that needed to be addressed, and we have addressed those,” Wheatley stated.
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