Business Community and Union Senators Distance Themselves from Motion

Mark Lizarraga

After the debate began, it quickly became clear that the social partner Senators – Mark Lizarraga for the business community and Elena Smith for the trade unions and civil society – were not supporting the motion. Of course, the Opposition also weighed in against it. Their primary complaints were that it did not go far enough and that it conceded too much to the Government. Ultimately, however, leading Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay would concede a few amendments that would lead to it being passed. Nevertheless, Senators Lizarraga and Smith, as well as the Opposition, eventually voted against the motion. We have their statements from inside the Senate.

Mark Lizarraga, Business Senator

“Madam President, Senator Rocke is absolutely correct in saying there has been quite a bit of negotiations, deliberations, research, consultation in arriving at our respective positions. We will not be supporting this second motion, which has now become the first motion, because it lacks—in our view—clarity in many areas, ambiguity in some areas and what we believe are positions that cannot be defending. It would be difficult for us to defend under the Constitution and the Standing Orders.”

Elena Smith

Elena Smith, Union Senator

“I note that in the motion presented by Senator Rocke, it says that the government acknowledges and heeds the call of citizenry including several of the social partners. Our call has been to ask for a committee comprised of five members. That was our last vote and that vote remains. We believe that if we have such composition, it will reflect a fair representation of what our people are saying. With that said Madam Chair, there is no way that myself representing this organization can support this motion.”