ST.JOHN'S Antigua, May 30th, 2012 -- The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will reconvene on Wednesday 30th May for another sitting with seven new bills down for introduction.
Prime Minister the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer will introduce the First Reading of the Immigration and Passport Act, 2012 and the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2012.
In addition, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon. Justin Simon QC will introduce the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code Amendment Act, 2012.
The First Reading of the Tax Administration and Procedure Act, the Embarkation Tax (Repeal) Act and the Passenger Facility Charge (Repeal) Act, 2012 will be introduced by Finance, the Economy and Public Administration Minister the Hon. Harold Lovell.
Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Minister the Hon. John Maginley will introduce the First Reading of the Airport Authority (Amendment) Act, 2012.
The House will also hear the presentation of and debate the Office of the National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (Amendment) Act, the Airport Administration Charge Act, the Embarkation Tax (Repeal) Act, the Passenger Facility Charge (Repeal) Act, the Airport Authority (Amendment) Act and the Dog Registration (Amendment) Act, 2012; which will all have their second and third readings.
The Airport Administration Charge Act, 2012, to be introduced by Finance and Economy Minister the Hon. Harold Lovell seeks to provide for the direct administration of airport charges through the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority in replacement of two previously existing taxes; the Passenger Facility Charge and the Embarkation Tax, currently administered by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and the Comptroller of Customs.
The creation of a single unitary charge which is directly administered by the Airport Authority, in conjunction with the pre-existing relationship with IATA, allows for a more cost effective collection process and also by placing the charge directly on the ticketing process reduces the imposition on the passenger of an additional stage in their departure from Antigua and Barbuda particularly at a time when funds may already have been exhausted.
This bill also ensures that the Authority is in a position to effectively manage its funding and negate the need for subventions on an ad-hoc basis from central government.
The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (Amendment) Act, 2012 to be presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer will add to the specified offences and the proceeds of crime to the scope of the functions of the ONDCP to include the Trafficking of Persons and prevention, Migrant Smuggling and laws governing Firearms.
In addition, the Opposition within the House of Representatives will make what many political watchers deem will be another failed attempt to gain power, which it was unable to do via two general elections, by moving a vote of “No Confidence” in the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
Political watchers have remarked that the exercise will be one in futility, as the Opposition will only be rehashing issues that have been refuted by the government of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.
The House of Representatives will convene at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 30th May.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
Antigua News