Mr. Speaker, I rise to indicate to this Honourable House, that this Team Unity Administration is committed to a good governance agenda. Salient to the good governance agenda is that constitutional office should be respected and accorded reasonable resources commensurate with the State’s ability to do so.
In keeping with this cardinal principle, my government intends to support the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. The recent past in which the Office of the Leader of the Opposition was disrespected, and its letters to the former Governor General, the Speaker of the National Assembly were unacknowledged or treated in a condescending manner will not become a tradition or pattern.
We offer a fresh start. We recognize that the opposition can play a constructive role even with current leadership. Therefore, Team Unity will do the right thing, by the people and for the people of this Federation.
We will be guided by history, law, custom and best practices and our desire to consecrate the future. However, wretched was the past administration’s approach to this matter, ours will be more enlightened.
Hon Mark Brantley served as Leader of the Opposition, and before him Mr Hugh Heyliger. We know how that office was treated. For twenty years there was no legislative framework to deal with the Public Accounts Committee. This fact alone exposes the hypocrisy of those self-interested personalities who now make noise on this matter. These matters will be addressed in the course of our contract with the people. We have a legislative agenda to follow and we will not be distracted by a few mal adjusted actors who oppose the government, but we will act at the behest of the good people of St. Kitts and Nevis. May it please you Mr. Speaker.
Gratuities and Pensions
Mr. Speaker, regrettably efforts have been made to impugn the behaviour and conduct of our government regarding certain entitlements of the former MPs. The Legislators Pension Act, Cap 22.05 provides guidance on payments to former legislators.
It is clear that for anyone to be properly paid a pension that legislator must meet:
1. An age requirement – i.e. attain at least age fifty (50)
2. Serve two (2) consecutive terms or eight (8) years
3. Cease to be a member of Parliament
Where a person ceases to be a legislator and is eligible to be paid a pension, section 5 (6) provides that no computation of a pension under the Act shall be made after a general election until thirty days (or such longer period not exceeding three months as may be prescribed) has elapsed after the general election.
The Act does not prescribe a time within which a pension must be paid to a former legislator.
The elections of February16, 2015 saw the rejection of Labour’s candidates Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip, Asim Martin and non-return to Parliament of Richard Skerritt, Curtis Martin and Jason Hamilton to this National Assembly.
The normal and customary common sense approach in making payments is that, all indebtedness to the government should be deducted (ie an offset is done). Clearly before an offset can be done, a search must be made of the relevant government departments – such as Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise Department, Water Department, Accountant General etc to determine what is due to the government.
As in the case of pensioners in the Civil Service reference is made to the Accountant General’s Department for computation and to the Auditor-General’s Department for verification of the computation. This exercise is intended to determine whether any amounts remain outstanding to the government, for example, advances for travel overseas or any other financial obligation. These are normally set off against any pension or gratuity payable.
No Ill-Will
Mr. Speaker, on receiving requests from the relevant party, I am advised that the usual processes were activated. The delay of any processing is due to the time taken to investigate/search of records of relevant departments. No ill will is intended and none will be countenanced.
We are doing everything to effect the payments but we are doing it properly and in accordance with law, custom and practice. We will not let angry remarks from those who ought to know better and therefore do better, force us to act against the public interests.
This Unity Government recognizes that former legislators in the past have had their pension and gratuity payments delayed for unreasonable and unconscionable periods. This Government will not engage in such behavior and reiterates that it will at all times observe the process outlined earlier in the processing of these matters.
What is very disheartening is that those who are now crying victimization and malice know better. Their past actions belie their hypocritical sanctimonious empty mouthings.
Precedent
• Constance Mitcham waited ten years to get her due entitlements and pursued the matter not just in High Court but also in the Court of Appeal.
• The Right Hon Sir Kennedy Simmonds, now National Hero, waited for two and a half years to receive payment even after Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua intervened on his behalf. He ceased being a Member of Parliament in July 1995 and it was not until September 26, 1997, that he finally received his pension benefits. Not only did CARICOM Heads make an appeal but also the Commonwealth Secretary General. I wish to read the press release issued by the Right Hon Dr Kennedy Simmonds on September 30, 1997.
• Hugh Heyliger waited for nearly one year before he received any payment.
Our Promise
This government is working diligently and will do the right thing for all the people of this country. Those who are due monies will be paid. Those who are not due will not be paid. It is an exercise that cannot be hustled. It must be done with dye care and attention.
We have already paid some former legislators:
Mr. Jason Hamilton
Dr. Asim Martin
Mr. Richard Skerritt’s delay in payment is due to irregularities in relation to subsistence.
May it please you Mr. Speaker.
Photo: Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris
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