Opposition slows Charter of Rights Bill

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter



Three days after their colleagues in the House of Representatives stood in unison with the Government to pass of the Charter of Rights, Opposition Senators today moved to slow its passage.



Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, A.J. Nicholson, questioned the need to rush the amendment while arguing there is no rule that would force the process of re-tabling the bill should it not be passed this parliamentary year.



He said Senators should be given at least another seven days to consider the bill so as to ensure citizens are not short-changed.



However, Dorothy Lightbourne, the Leader of Government Business said the bill is nothing new as it represents the work of the Opposition and Government.



She has proposed the Senate sit for two days next week to consider and debate the bill.



The Charter of Rights is intended to replace Chapter Three of the Constitution.



It was tabled in the House of Representatives in November, 2009.



Under the rules of Parliament, a bill which is intended to amend an entrenched section of the Constitution must sit for three months after it is tabled.



Another three months must elapse before a second reading and thereafter another three months must pass before the House votes on the bill.



The Senate must get seven days to consider all bills sent from the House.



daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com