00:00The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago is defending the constitutional role of independent senators
00:06following the latest clash between the government and the independent bench.
00:10Latt says it has taken note of recent remarks by the Prime Minister
00:14criticizing independent senators for voting against government legislation,
00:19namely the Special Operations Bill.
00:22The association says the Prime Minister has also vowed not to accept amendments
00:27proposed by those senators in the future, noting it's not the first time such remarks have been made.
00:35In a statement, the Law Association says,
00:37The Prime Minister also made disparaging remarks against the independent bench
00:42on the last occasion that her government failed to secure their support.
00:46On both occasions, the government refused to entertain amendments proposed by the independent bench
00:52which could have secured their support.
00:54On the latest Special Operations Bill, which is the updated Zones of Special Operations Bill,
01:01independent senators and their contributions credited government for incorporating their suggestions,
01:07though they voted against the bill.
01:09The association is rebutting reported comments by a government minister and senator
01:14that it was never the intention of the framers of the constitution
01:18for an elected government to have to depend on independent senators to pass legislation.
01:24Latt says,
01:25The intention of the framers of the constitution can be gleaned
01:28from the clear language of the constitution, sections 39 and 40.
01:33Section 39 establishes parliament as consisting of the president,
01:38the senate and the house of representatives.
01:40And section 40 sets out how the 31 member senate is constituted.
01:45Latt points specifically to section 40 which provides for nine senators to be appointed by the president
01:52in his discretion from outstanding persons from economic, social and community organizations
01:58and other major fields of endeavor.
02:00It says,
02:02Of the 31 senators, 16 shall be appointed by the president acting in accordance with the advice of the leader
02:09of the opposition.
02:16And nine shall be appointed by the president in his discretion from outstanding persons from economic or social or community
02:23organizations
02:24and other major fields of endeavor, end quote.
02:27The law association acknowledges that no senator, government, opposition or independent is elected through the polls.
02:34But it says,
02:35Nevertheless, the constitutional arrangement on which our democracy is founded quite clearly contemplate
02:42that the creation of legislation involves the participation of the senate,
02:47a body which comprises in part persons who are not aligned to the elected government, end quote.
02:54Latt says this has been the constitutional arrangement governing the legislative process since independence
03:00and therefore, it writes,
03:02Latt calls upon the prime minister to withdraw her disparaging remarks against the independent senators
03:08and pending the adoption of that course of action,
03:12calls upon the president of the senate to take the necessary action to ensure that the reputation of the senate
03:18is preserved, end quote.
03:20And Latt is making a broader appeal, saying,
03:23Latt also reminds the prime minister that our democracy depends on her government hearing and considering the views
03:31of those who do not sit at her table in government, end quote.
03:35Arvishita Wari, Ruknarain, TV6 News.
