Skip to playerSkip to main content
CCNTV6
  • 10 months ago
Opposition and Independent Senators join hands in a call for parliamentary autonomy. Here's the story from the sitting of the Upper House on Tuesday.
Transcript
00:00The opposition on Tuesday called on government to, within three months, introduce legislative
00:05framework on parliamentary autonomy.
00:08In piloting the motion, UNC Senator Wade Marks says, as it stands, the executive has hijacked
00:15the parliament.
00:16Why must the prime minister determine if I travel?
00:19I cannot determine when the prime minister wants to go to California for medical attention
00:25or when he wants to go to Australia to see if he can get a boat or two.
00:29I cannot, we don't have the power in this parliament to tell the prime minister he
00:35can't go to Australia.
00:37We don't have that power.
00:38But you know, Mr. President, on the scales of justice, he has the power to tell Annie
00:44Roberts, to tell Wade Marks, to tell even Anthony Pierras, Senator of this, that you
00:50can't travel.
00:51Why must the prime minister have that power?
00:53He questions government's resistance to parliamentary autonomy.
00:58Why must we go cap in hand to the minister of finance as an independent organ of the
01:09state and beg the minister of finance, who is a member of the executive arm of the state,
01:16for $200 million to run the affairs of the parliament?
01:21Attorney General Reginald O'Moore, senior counsel, says a measured approach is needed.
01:26While the principle of financial independence is important, it is equally important to ensure
01:31that mechanisms for transparency and accountability are preserved and enhanced.
01:37Any change to the current system must be carefully considered to avoid creating inefficiencies
01:43or compromising the integrity of the current budgetary process.
01:48He says such drastic changes could not be approached casually or hastily.
01:53Every facet of the potential implications of this subject must be combed through carefully
01:59and with precision.
02:02We must deliberate, we must be discerning, and we must be thorough to ensure that any
02:07framework which is introduced strengthens this honourable parliament and does not inadvertently
02:14or otherwise undermine the operations or create unintended challenges.
02:20That is why we must be careful and in taking care you must take time.
02:25From the independent bench, Senator Anthony Vera supports the motion.
02:29We need to preserve and fortify the degree of independence the parliament has from the
02:35influence and control of the other branches of government, in particular the executive.
02:41I supported Senator Mark because we share the same view that a stronger parliament means
02:48a richer democracy.
02:49Meanwhile, his counterpart on the independent bench says autonomy allows for greater legislative
02:54oversight by holding the executive accountable for its actions.
02:59Again party politics come into play.
03:03Political parties play a dominant role in Trinidad and Tobago's parliamentary system.
03:09MPs are often bound by party discipline, which means they are expected to vote along party
03:15lines, limiting their ability to exercise independent judgment or challenge the government
03:21effectively.
03:23This party discipline can weaken the legislator's oversight function as MPs may prioritise loyalty
03:32to their party over holding the executive accountable.
03:36Mr Timalt says autonomy will rebalance power dynamics away from the executive alone, determining
03:43parliamentary agenda.
03:45This leaves little room for legislature to independently set priorities or address issues
03:50that may not align with the government's agenda.
03:55Parliamentary autonomy would empower parliament to have greater control over its legislative
03:59schedule, allowing members of parliament, MPs and committees to introduce, debate and
04:07advance legislation based on national needs rather than executive priorities.
04:14The independent senator also said this will avoid legislative ambush that members of the
04:19independent bench have been subject to when bills are presented without sufficient time
04:24for thorough consideration.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment