Called “Pee Pee in Milk” and “Power Grab,” Sugar Amendment Bill to Stay in Deliberation, Not Passed by Senate
In the Senate today, the Sugar Industry Amendment Bill was most unpopular. One Senator referred to the Bill as the “worst piece of legislation” he has seen since being appointed to the Senate. The majority of the non-government Senators objected to the Bill, some even calling for a division in the vote. In the end, Leader for Government business Eamon Courtenay requested that the Bill remain in the Senate for further deliberation.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Senator for Opposition
“This law increases the strength of the board, and we are saying fundamentally, to protect the Industry and to make sure we have a viable sugar industry, it is difficult to argue with that. And, even though it is a bit high handed, it is kinda difficult. But man, unu tek a nice warm bucket a milk and pee pee ena it. Section 38 a, where a person, this is the law they want to pass now, where a person is aggrieved by a decision of the board, the person shall refer the complaint to the Minister for decision. So, Madam Speaker deh mek a read the whole function of the Board pan a hungry belly, only for them to propose a piece of legislation that says, all that I have described the Board can do, all of these things that the Board is empowered to do, a Board that is an autonomous body, all of that can be reversed by a decision of the Minister.”
Kevin Herrera
Kevin Herrera, Senator for BCCI & BBB
“Every since I have been here, I think this is probably the worst piece of legislation I have seen come to us in the Senate. I have many problems with the Bill, Madam President, one is it doesn’t address the core issue. This is really a government over-reach. Government is getting into the private affairs of Associations. In my view, the government is meddling in the affairs of these private associations. Section thirty eight, I have tremendous issues with that. This really seems to be a power grab, a blatant power grab.”
