APR 24

Labour Representative in the Upper House Senator Chester Humphrey complained during a sitting of the Senate last Friday about the lateness in which Order Papers are delivered to him.

He accused the government side of showing "disrespect and arrogance" over the way documents for meetings are sent to opposition members.

Senator Humphrey told a meeting of the Upper House that he was unable to participate in the debate in any meaningful way because he did not receive his documents on time so he can study them.

Several items including amendments to the Income Tax Act of 2004 and the Brewery Act of 2004 were on last Friday's Order Paper. Senator Humphrey used the occasion to call on the government side in the Upper House to treat the other members with a little bit more respect by giving them the opportunity to perform their duties effectively.

He spoke of being out of office during some intervals last week conducting business for his Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) and that the documents were dropped off for him on Wednesday for Friday's sitting.

Humphrey told the Senate that since he did not have sufficient time to study the documents he was unable to make any contribution and so he abstained from voting. He also brought to the attention of President of the Senate Leslie-Ann Seon about a mix up in the two Bills.

The content for the one which was meant for the Breweries was placed for the amendment to the Income Tax Act and vice versa. The observation by Humphrey brought Clerk of Parliament Kenneth Hobson on his feet and in conversation with Seon.

She then announced the mix up with the Bills and also expressed concern about the delay in the delivery of Order Papers for Senate meetings. Seon noted that the delivery of those documents to members is a serious responsibility.

The President of the Upper House indicated that those documents must be sent in advance and on time since members need to have them in order to prepare themselves so that they can deal with the issue at hand.