Gibson: I have not seen referendum questions yet

Mon, Aug 11th 2014, 11:54 PM

Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson yesterday admitted that he has not yet read the four referendum questions that are set to be on a ballot on November 6.
When asked his views on the questions, Gibson said, "I haven't seen the questions yet."
The minister was asked his views in light of a statement made on Friday by National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage that the questions need to be simplified.
When informed that Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin read the questions in Parliament last week Gibson, said, "I probably wasn't paying attention then."
While saying he has not seen the questions, Gibson yesterday defended the constitutional amendment bills intended to bring about gender equality, stating that some people are "reading into the bills things that are not there".
Gibson was not specifically referring to any of the recent concerns expressed by his colleagues though.
But he said he has spoken to many Bahamians who have "concerns with the bills".
Regarding the fourth bill, Gibson said the government is doing nothing that will give rise to same sex marriage.
"I do not support gay marriage," he said.
"Anything that will give rise to us getting to that point, I do not support it.
"I do not see any of the amendments giving rise to us supporting same sex marriage.
"I see where people are stretching it there; where people connect two things that have no relationship, no relevance and are completely different and they connect them.
"You can always do that, but the point is, I don't see anything that will give us any need to be concerned about same sex marriage, particularly when it is very explicit in the act.
"In order for us to change it we have to go to Parliament."
The fourth constitutional bill seeks to make it unconstitutional for any law or any person acting in the performance of any public office to discriminate based on sex.
Prime Minister Perry Christie has said that the bill will not bring about same sex marriage.
The four bills will institute full equality between men and women in matters of citizenship and will eliminate discrimination in The Bahamas based on sex, Christie said.
Debate on the bills is expected to resume tomorrow.
"I have spoken to Bahamians who share concerns with all of these bills," Gibson said.
"I don't know any Bahamian who doesn't have a concern with any, expect a couple people. But most people have a concern, not that they don't support it, but they need to understand it better.
"I think coming out of the debate, persons will understand it better. So people have issues of not understanding it properly..."
Gibson said he fully supports all four bills.
"I think it is the right thing to do," he said.
"I understand sometimes the position that Bahamians take where they want to always live in what they consider to be a protected environment, where it is difficult to accept sometimes that you have persons who are not born here who are entitled to certain benefits in your country.
"I think the challenge will be to put together a proper educational program where individuals can have all of their concerns addressed and done so adequately."
Several PLP MPs have voiced concerns about several of the bills.
Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Marco City Greg Moss have all gone public.
Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and St. Anne's MP Hubert Chipman are also concerned. They are both opposition MPs.
When asked if he was concerned that the effort is in jeopardy, Gibson said, "Whenever you go into a referendum there is a chance you can win and there is a chance you can lose.
"The issue is, we try and educate the people as much as possible, put it to a vote and then however they vote we are willing to accept the people's decision."
Nottage said on Friday that if there is not unanimous support for the proposed amendments, the government will not proceed with the referendum.
Nottage is the minister responsible for referenda and leader of government business in the House of Assembly.

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