Senate Needs to Debate Stevedore Payout – Mike Peyrefitte

Michael Peyrefitte

The issue of whether the content of that debate is in fact harmful to the ongoing stevedore payment case before the high court was also raised, particularly by the President of the Senate. In responding to that concern, Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte pointed to the issue of accountability since the monies are being drawn from government’s coffers.

Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator

“I am very aware that what I am about to say will in no way cause any prejudicial effect to the court proceeding concerning this appropriation. And, Madam President, if the government was so sensitive about pronouncements in parliament concerning this appropriation then maybe they should not have brought it. Since they want to respect the court so much and respect the process so much, then delay this until the court has completed its process. If you really care about not making any pronouncements in the National Assembly that will affect the case, it’s simple: withdraw it, withdraw it, and then there can be no debate on it and no risk of anybody saying anything that would upset the court. Madam President, I understand the standing order very well. I tried to enforce it very well when I was Speaker of the House. Madam President, I am aware of it, but Madam President, we have a job in here too, and with due respect to the court, I can assure you, I will say nothing that could in any way be prejudicial to the court proceedings. But Madam President, the government will not come here and ask the people to put one point five million dollars in the hands of the stevedores and we are not to debate on that at all.”