Opposition Senator Says Request to Settle Arbitration is an Indecent Proposal

Lisa Shoman

Senator for Government Business, Godwin Hulse, insists that the Senate is only being asked to approve the specific sum of one hundred and sixty-two million outlined in the schedule, and not the blank check as is being claimed. Putting it diplomatically, Opposition Senator Lisa Shoman says that’s just plain garbage.

Lisa Shoman, Senator, People’s United Party

“The sums of money appearing in the scheduled hereto—I wish Senator Hulse is listening—the sums of money appearing in the schedule hereto—one schedule, not two—are hereby declared payable for the financial year, ending on the thirty-first of March, 2016 for and in respect of the services mentioned in the schedule; in addition to the sums Appropriated by the General Revenue Appropriation 2015/2016 Bill of 2015. So let’s have no more nonsense about how this schedule is in two parts and number two does not apply. That’s garbage. This is more than an indecent proposal; this is nothing less than a naked usurpation by the Executive of this country of the job, responsibility of parliament, of the legislature and it is arrogating onto itself the power, which is forbidden to it by the separation of powers and the rule of law, arrogating this onto itself by asking us to pass this nakedly unconstitutional and illegal supplementary bill. Part one has a definite amount; that is one thing. Part two states, additional amounts as may be required to satisfy in full, permanent court of arbitration award in the Dunkeld versus G.O.B. matter. All such amounts shall be a charge on the consolidated revenue fund of Belize and shall be paid within such time—not as parliament shall determine, but as the PCA shall determine. So that, Mister President and fellow senators is the illegality you are being asked to lend your name to.”