Several key bills remain outstanding

Fri, Dec 16th 2011, 08:43 AM

When Parliament reconvenes on January 23, the government will have only a limited time to fulfill the legislative promises it made to the Bahamian people more than a year and a half ago.
Despite passing more than 45 pieces of legislation since Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes read the Speech from The Throne, the government has to bring several more bills before it fulfills the agenda it set out in April 2010.
"We have a couple that we still want to do before the end of the term," said National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest, who is leader of government business in the House of Assembly.
"The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which is on the agenda now, we hope to deal with that before the end of our term."
The bill was tabled in the House of Assembly in October, but debate has yet to begin.
While the FOIA would provide the framework to allow anyone to ask any public institution for information without giving reasons, the language determining what is "exempt" from the act is wide ranging and would allow public institutions the ability to withhold information in a variety of circumstances.
The government is also hoping to present the Disabilities Bill, which has been promised to people with disabilities since the 1990s.
Minister of State for Social Services Loretta Butler-Turner announced last month that the government intends to table the Disabilities Bill in Parliament within this term.
However, Minister of Labour and Social Development Dion Foulkes said he is unsure whether that promise will be fulfilled.
Foulkes told The Nassau Guardian yesterday that the final draft has been sent to Cabinet. He added that the government intends to post the draft legislation on the government's website so that the public can view it and make recommendations.
"We also hope to have a press conference shortly to notify the press about the salient points of the bill," he said.
Asked if he believes that the government will succeed in getting the bill to Parliament before the end of the term, Foulkes said he is not sure. He explained that there are many factors that will determine whether the bill is ready in time, including the expected public feedback.
Successive governments have promised to bring disabilities legislation to Parliament.
A draft of the bill that was being circulated last year would make it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities in connection with education, employment and the provision of goods, facilities and services.  It also proposed the establishment of a national disabilities rights commission.
 
IRONS IN THE FIRE

In the Speech from the Throne, the government also promised legislation to simplify and make more effective employment dispute adjudication and determination.
Similarly, the Land Adjudication Bill has been promised. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham mentioned that the legislation would be brought forward, however Turnquest said he is not sure whether that will happen during this term.
"There are too many dissenting views on it.  So I can't guarantee that we would do it.  We'd like to but we're not sure that we would be able to finish that one," Turnquest said.
Despite several outstanding bills, Turnquest said the government is satisfied with its progress this year.
"I think we are doing a very good job in terms of legislation," he added.
Another key piece of legislation promised by the government that has not yet been brought is a bill to modernize the public service.
In the last year, the government has made good progress in bringing to Parliament other pieces of legislation that were also promised.
Most recently Parliament passed the Penal Code Bill, Criminal Procedure Code Bill, Bail Act Amendment Bill, Magistrates Court Bill, Road Traffic Bill, and Parliament Elections Bill.
"We have a couple and there are a number of other bills in various draft forms and approvals processes. We have a lot of irons in the fire that we may be able to do before the election, or if God willing and if the people return us we will do immediately when we come back," Turnquest said.
"There are a number of bills that have gone through the consultation process and the various drafting forms and approval processes that have not be yet been tabled in Parliament that may or may not move forward. That will depend on how ready they are between now and the end of the year."
The general election has to be held on or before May 2012. Some political observers believe that it will be called before that date. But as Prime Minister Ingraham indicated earlier this year, no one knows the date of election but him.

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