00:00Opposition leader Penelope Beckles says the opposition will formally write to the president
00:05concerning issues affecting the Senate.
00:07She says the role of independent senators is critical to maintaining checks and balances
00:12in Parliament.
00:13Well, it's consistent with their policy.
00:16I mean, they don't really respect the independent senators clearly.
00:19I mean, how could you make, if you make the independent senators useless, then you are
00:24saying the Constitution is a waste of time.
00:26I mean, we know that it is not, you have to have checks and balances, and that is what
00:31the independent senators are there for, checks and balances.
00:34The truth is that this government wants absolutely no checks and balances.
00:38Beckles is also criticizing the government over the amount of time opposition MPs are
00:43given to examine legislation before it reaches Parliament.
00:47She says urgent legislation can sometimes require expedited consideration, but argues that the
00:53current frequency is unacceptable when the measures have a huge impact on the citizens.
00:57You know, you don't consult with anybody, nobody at all, no, absolutely nobody, and you bring
01:04that piece of legislation, I mean, that is not good enough, and it's not good enough for
01:08us to get legislation.
01:09On Monday, Parliament normally sits on a Friday.
01:12You had Parliament last week Wednesday before, then you have Parliament this Wednesday.
01:16Yes, the government has their majority, but don't abuse your majority.
01:20And they must respect, give greater respect to the opposition.
01:23One of the bills now before Parliament proposes changes to the age limits for gambling and
01:28the use of alcohol and cannabis.
01:30Beckles is critical of the proposed fines, questioning whether the measures are aimed at
01:35changing behaviour or generating revenue.
01:37She points to a proposed $50,000 fine for children using alcohol as an example.
01:43If you recall last year in the budget debate, the Minister of Finance said they were going to
01:48raise a billion dollars from taxes.
01:49This is not isolated from what is clearly a government policy, let's go back to the traffic
01:54fines.
01:55I mean, just absolutely ridiculous.
01:58So, let's take for example, there's a section in the bill that speaks to if a child under 10
02:05is found in possession of alcohol or drinking at the finest $50,000.
02:10I mean, exactly, are they serious?
02:13So, the fact is that, is this a revenue generation measure because it is linked to the issue of
02:19the property taxes?
02:19Charlotte Kestil, TV6 News.
02:22Charlotte Kestil, TV6 News.
