00:00Mrs. Mahabri Wyatt tells us independent senators are appointed to serve as impartial voices,
00:06tasked with evaluating legislation based on its merits rather than political alliance.
00:12She explains that their role is especially important in situations where balanced judgment is required in the national interest.
00:20Independence had a very critical role to play because they needed somebody who was not a government senator or an opposition senator to break a tie, for example.
00:36And the idea was that we should be representing the general public.
00:42She's expressing concern over the recent remarks by the prime minister directed at independent senators,
00:49describing the tone of the comments as troubling and disappointing.
00:53I am really sorry to hear what the prime minister has said about senators, independent senators particularly.
01:06I did not hear the actual debate at the time, so I can't comment on it.
01:19I just think that her comment was very unfair.
01:24So I am talking from my own experience about the obligations of an independent senator.
01:32Mahabri Wyatt urges independent senators to approach the Zone of Special Operations Bill with careful scrutiny,
01:40advising them to independently assess the legislation in full and make decisions grounded in reason, evidence and conscience.
01:49Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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