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Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has pushed back against Myron Walwyn’s demand to overhaul the constituency policy, defending the arrangement while Walwyn argues it leaves representatives unable to help struggling residents.
The disagreement surfaced recently in the House of Assembly, where the Sixth District Representative described the policy as “an utter waste of time” and disclosed that a committee was to be established to examine it.
Walwyn said constituency offices could pay rent and staff but lacked the flexibility to respond to urgent needs or support community programmes.
“Somebody walks into your office saying they hungry, you can’t give them anything,” he complained.
He said representatives were forced to use personal funds, which often fell short of the needs presented. He also expressed discomfort that residents receiving small amounts from him might feel personally indebted.
“I want the system to work so those people can get the assistance that they need,” Walwyn said.
He argued that the policy had served a purpose during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) reform process but now required changes. Welcoming the proposed committee, he called for practical recommendations.
“Don’t come back here with no policy that can’t help anybody,” he said.
Fraser, however, cautioned against treating the CoI as a closed chapter and defended the policy as a way to restore representatives’ ability to serve their districts after their access to assistance grants ended.
He credited Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley with finding an alternative when representatives had been left, in his view, “totally, absolutely meaningless” in their districts.
“He came up with a constituency policy, making it possible for us to do something in our district,” Fraser said.
While saying he would not obstruct colleagues seeking changes, Fraser firmly distanced himself from any additional funding.
“Whatever additional monies you put in there, I don’t want to see it. I don’t want to know it exists. I don’t want to go near it. I’m happy the way it is right now,” he declared.
The dispute follows reforms to the former system of discretionary assistance grants. The 2022 CoI recommended ending House of Assembly and ministerial grants in their existing form and reallocating the money to the Social Development Department, with assistance distributed against established criteria.
Discretion over awarding assistance grants was subsequently transferred from elected representatives to the department in June 2022, and further legislative reforms followed in 2024.
The CoI also recognised that publicly funded district projects could have value, recommending published eligibility criteria, transparent assessment and monitoring, and community participation rather than decisions resting solely with elected officials.
Walwyn’s remarks called for a system capable of meeting constituents’ needs, although he did not detail a replacement model. Fraser maintained that he wanted no part in expanding the funding available under the current arrangement.
The disagreement surfaced recently in the House of Assembly, where the Sixth District Representative described the policy as “an utter waste of time” and disclosed that a committee was to be established to examine it.
Walwyn said constituency offices could pay rent and staff but lacked the flexibility to respond to urgent needs or support community programmes.
“Somebody walks into your office saying they hungry, you can’t give them anything,” he complained.
He said representatives were forced to use personal funds, which often fell short of the needs presented. He also expressed discomfort that residents receiving small amounts from him might feel personally indebted.
“I want the system to work so those people can get the assistance that they need,” Walwyn said.
He argued that the policy had served a purpose during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) reform process but now required changes. Welcoming the proposed committee, he called for practical recommendations.
“Don’t come back here with no policy that can’t help anybody,” he said.
Fraser, however, cautioned against treating the CoI as a closed chapter and defended the policy as a way to restore representatives’ ability to serve their districts after their access to assistance grants ended.
He credited Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley with finding an alternative when representatives had been left, in his view, “totally, absolutely meaningless” in their districts.
“He came up with a constituency policy, making it possible for us to do something in our district,” Fraser said.
While saying he would not obstruct colleagues seeking changes, Fraser firmly distanced himself from any additional funding.
“Whatever additional monies you put in there, I don’t want to see it. I don’t want to know it exists. I don’t want to go near it. I’m happy the way it is right now,” he declared.
The dispute follows reforms to the former system of discretionary assistance grants. The 2022 CoI recommended ending House of Assembly and ministerial grants in their existing form and reallocating the money to the Social Development Department, with assistance distributed against established criteria.
Discretion over awarding assistance grants was subsequently transferred from elected representatives to the department in June 2022, and further legislative reforms followed in 2024.
The CoI also recognised that publicly funded district projects could have value, recommending published eligibility criteria, transparent assessment and monitoring, and community participation rather than decisions resting solely with elected officials.
Walwyn’s remarks called for a system capable of meeting constituents’ needs, although he did not detail a replacement model. Fraser maintained that he wanted no part in expanding the funding available under the current arrangement.
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