MPs Pringle and Bowen Submit Private Members’ Bills
for Parliament Sitting
Earlier this week, three Private Member’s Bills were submitted to the
Clerk of Parliament by Opposition Leader the Hon. Jamale Pringle, MP
for All Saints East and St. Luke, and the Hon. Sherfield Bowen, MP for
St. Phillip South.
MP Pringle submitted two Bills: a Motion for the establishment and
composition of a Public Works and National Housing Joint Select
Committee and a Motion for the establishment and composition of a
Public Health and Social Transformation Joint Select Committee.
Giving his reasons, MP Pringle explains: “Within the 2026 Budget
Estimates, the Ministry of Public Works continued to flag several issues,
including procurement which is especially concerning in light of
vehicle-gate, road rehabilitation, and the maintenance of government
buildings, while the Ministry of Health flagged insufficient funds from
the Treasury, the lack of back-up power at many facilities, insufficient
basic medical equipment, and so much more.”
MP Pringle asserts it is time for the Legislature to provide oversight of
the Executive branch, thereby fulfilling one of its primary
responsibilities.
“We as parliamentarians cannot allow the Cabinet ministers to come
boasting of hundreds of millions in surplus when these Ministries are
crying out due to their dire state,” he says. “Therefore, we are proposing
measures that will bolster accountability and transparency and get to the
root of the issues repeatedly flagged.”Meanwhile, MP Bowen’s submission requires the Minister of Finance to
lay before the House all the audited financial statements, actuarial
reports, and statements of investment for the Social Security Fund that
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has admitted are in his possession.
“Currently, the Minister of Finance is in clear violation of Sections 17
and 18 of the Social Security Act of 1972,” MP Bowen says. “How can
any informed and prudent decision be made by the Parliament in the
absence of these critical documents?” he asks.
Opposition Leader Pringle concludes, “In a democracy, Parliament must
do more than debate. It must legislate, oversee, and act in the interest of
the people. The public can look forward to other Private Members’ Bills
that my colleagues will be submitting for future sittings.”
As defined by Standing Order 30(3), Private Members’ Bills are Motions
or Bills that have been submitted by an MP who is not a Cabinet
Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary.
The first such Bill in recent history was introduced by MP Trevor Walker
and supported by all Opposition MPs. That bill proposed a change to the
Oath of Allegiance and was rejected by the Government. However, the
Attorney-General later reintroduced the same measure and took credit
for the initiative.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
