Ex DP calls for full consultation on controversial bills

| 28/11/2024 | 33 Comments

(CNS): The former deputy premier, André Ebanks MP (WBS) is calling on government to make sure that the public are given the full 28 day consultation period on two specific and controversial bills that the UPM has indicated they want to bring to parliament before it is prorogued. Ebanks has said introducing the proposed referendum bill and amendments to the National Conservation Act to the meeting of Parliament scheduled to commence on 9 December would fall foul of the constitution and fail to give the public the time to consider them.

At the time of publication there was still no sign of either pieces of legislation on the government gazette.

But if accepted by the Speaker of Parliament between now and 9 December, the government has the option to bring the bills despite the lack of consultation, as it can waive the 28 day requirement for public consultation, under certain circumstances relating to national importance, provided it is supported by a majority in parliament.

At the moment the minority UPM administration is being supported by the opposition to enable it to hold on to the trappings of power until the election, set for 30 April. This long wait for the general election despite the effective fall of this current government is to enable all those eligible to vote to register and take part due largely to of the exceptionally long period provided under the election law for officials to verify and the public to make any changes or challenges to the register. In order to make the register for election day the deadline is now 15 January. Calling elections earlier could potentially disenfranchise the several thousand people that are eligible but have yet to register.

In the meantime, the official PPM opposition has agreed to support the lame duck government’s need for a quorum to hold parliamentary meetings and to ensure the passage of certain important pieces of legislation. At this stage the Progressives have not stated publicly whether they intend to support the referendum bill or not. Hew recently told CNS that they would also need time to look at the legislation before making a decision.

They had however, previously indicated that they would not be inclined to support an amendment bill relating to the conservation act given the indisputable controversies surrounding it despite their own long held political position of also wanting to amend that legislation. Last week the current deputy premier and tourism minister Kenneth Bryan who is spearheading the proposed referendum made it clear during several public appearances in person, on radio and on social media that he still wishes to bring that legislation to the House as well as the changes to the conservation amendment act as he sees them both as issues of national importance.

What is not clear yet is if the UPM is hoping to bring them and gain support to waive the consultation period and then steer the bills through with the support of the PPM next month or whether they propose to publish the bills in the near future and set another meeting early next year to deal with them again in the hope that the PPM will partner with the UPM and enable the controversial bills to get through.

Reflecting on Bryan’s public comments Ebanks has said he and his three colleagues who all recently resigned from government, not least in part because of the way that the amendments to the conservation bill have been handled, don’t believe this bills justify waiving the consultation period.

“We would not consider a proposed referendum bill or a National Conservation Amendment Bill to be so urgent as to justify varying the constitutionally mandated due process by waiving the 28-day notice and foregoing the complete 28-day public consultation in order for the two proposed bills to be debated at the next meeting of Parliament,” he stated in a release, Thursday.

Ebanks and his colleagues as well as the official opposition have all agreed that the already published financial services bills are necessary and urgent to assist the government in generating revenue to meet its planned 2025 expenditures. Of the 21 Bills, 13 are from the Ministry of Financial Services and four are from the Ministry of Social Development.

Ebanks said that the 13 financial services Bills had “the benefit of months of informal industry consultation” and the three main social development Bills, namely the Older Persons, Adoption and Children are necessary because they provide overdue safeguards and enhancements for some of the most vulnerable in our community. “The social development bills have had the benefit of two years of policy development, multiple focus groups and broad stakeholder consultations, and meet the constitutional requirements for public consultation,” Ebanks added.

During the wanning days of this now beleaguered administration the ministers have indicated their hopes of bringing even more controversial legislation including changes to the immigration law relating to the length of time it takes and the overall process of applying to become a permanent resident and to obtain Caymanian Status. However, there is also no sign of this proposed legislation on the government gazette.

See the legislation that is expected to be dealt with on the Government Gazettes site here.


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Category: Local News

Comments (33)

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  1. anonymous says:

    Now – let’s see the Andre score card on “trust”. First he was elected because the PPM campaigned for him and well-respected PPM members in the community like BH endorsed him. He was clearly in bed with Wayne who HAD to be the Premier at all costs. Basically Wayne owned Andre’s A*S. Like a few others he bought houses for etc.

    For a rookie Andre was bold and would only go with the group that would give him a ministerial position. Once he got that that taste of power he wanted more and joined with Julie to dethrone Wayne – now there is a trusted friend and colleague who clearly publicly screwed Wayne. When Andrew and his new ‘team of 4’ didn’t get what they want from Juju they completely turned their back on the people of this country and quit. Now the minority government will spend wildly knowing this is their big chance to buy as many votes as possible ……at the people’s expense! . Meanwhile Andre is out and about at every concert, meeting, church event, etc. with his sob story making people believe him and other quitters were justified in their actions. Anyone that trusts Andre in the next election is a real fool. Show us the rest of your true colors Andre. You joining up with big mac this next time?

  2. Anonymous says:

    Let’s not pass anything please. These fools are like King Midas but backwards. Everything they touch turns to crap. So don’t let them touch anything. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know than whatever this idiotic lot cook up.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    andre ebanks bot alert on the thumbs…

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Joey Hew and PPM will do whatever dart, ncb, wellon, lund, bronte, stirling financial group and the rest of the developer mafia direct him to do. The PPM are in a shambolic state and will fold as they prove who are its master.

    The UPM mercenaries led by Juju are in a race to give PPM competition as the biggest sellouts in our political history.

    The numerous investigations for breaches and corruption that should be coming out of the Office of Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Commission about the last three governments is only prevented due to the deliberate lack of resources by the foxes watching the hen house as all the greedy piglets enjoy their time at the troughs.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Go away Andre you quit on us.

    Next question!

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    • Anonymous says:

      It’s time for public information and discussion on how decriminalized of ganja affected other countries. Maybe we inviting ganja tourism. Check out the Amsterdam experience.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Sounds like you’re on it already.

      • Anon says:

        It’s all bad effects from weed.
        Florida just Voted NO on legalizing small amounts of Ganja for personal use. Medicinal use is ok.
        The Police, medical community and government and people agreed that the Dangers outweigh the minor freedom to smoke weed in public.

        • Anonymuss says:

          Is a nature weed from earth.
          So let it burn fre the minds.
          It will bring money from tourists and Jamaican people workers

  6. Anonymous says:

    It could be 30 days’ consultation. Very few voters take the time to read the Bills and provide feedback. Sad

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Should have thought about that before he didn’t get his way and quit.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Oh look, more corrupt orchestrations from the UDP, what a surprise…/s

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Oh, more corrupt orchestrations from the UDP, what a surprise…/s

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Minister Andre I am reading between the lines but not everyone can. Please be Frank and transparent on what is really going on. I believe you are concern of the repercussions if you will spill the beans. However, you are only delaying the inevitable and the truth is going to show its ugly head. I suggest you do not per-long and be a part of the problem. I for one would respect you if you are part of the solution.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Oh wait…now Andre wants to be responsible and transparent? Too late bro I see your true colours!!

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  12. anonymous says:

    Thanks guys. But the Cost of Living is the main issue and that affects healthcare housing etc.
    So are you still happy that most people in Tourism still only make $4.50/hour? That will raise only a little next JULY..but they will lose their GRATS then..so they will be worse off than ever.
    But, all other people and sectors of workers will get NO Minimum Wage Increases for many forseeable YEARS.
    That’s what the Minimum Wage Committee has Decided!

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    • Anonymous says:

      That is absolutely not what the committee decided. Read the report or any summary of the report.

      The committee did not get to DECIDE anything. They recommended a significantly higher wage of $8.75 and removal of the gratuity subsidy.

      The idiot in charge of labor DECIDED to ignore that recommendation and do something entirely different. Get your facts right.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    andre…you have been in government for nearly 4 years….save us the crocodile tears. you are part of the problem.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Forget it, this is a done deal as the premier stated on radio Cayman that she had a vision while swinging in her hammock and it is all good to go! All I can say is that hammock better be rated for overload capacity and secured real good because it sure has to handle a heavy load when it starts swinging.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    So, there are two scenarios:

    1.
    The NCA Amendment Bill is of national importance and causing some grave harm (which has not been explained) to the greater Caymanian population, so they want to waive the 28 day public consultation time.
    But, if a matter is of national importance, should the public not have ample time, that is the 28 days, to review and discuss it?

    2.
    The amendments in the NCA Amendment Bill are not controversial at all, just some minor tweaks to the law, but is of national importance, therefore Juju and crew need to waive the 28 day public consultation time to rush the amendments through.
    But, if the amendments are minor, why the rush and need to waive the 28 day public consultation period?

    Also, the PPM can’t be trusted to do anything in the best interests of ordinary average income Caymanians. Their masters, i.e. the big construction developers like Dart and NCB, will tell them what they must do. PPM = Paid-for Political Muppets

    Tony Montana

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    • Anonymous says:

      Dart is great because they hire all Caymanians.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Good points, Mr. Tony, however, there is point 3., which is that nothing the public says, does, wants, disapproves or approves of makes any difference whatsoever to a government determined to do their will. We have been operating under the illusion that we had a say. Now, they aren’t pretending anymore.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Why even drag the PPM into this? They sit in opposition, they have no part to play in this fiasco.

      First Wayne refused to work with them and avoid this messy PACT situation althgether because he just HAD to be Premier.

      Second, when Wayne was tryign to survive, he had a second opportunity to take Andre, Kathy, Heather and others and join the PPM, he again refused becasue he HAD to be Premier.

      Now here we are, in this mess of a minority Government, and the PPM has now said NO THANKS we will ride this term out in Opposition you all are too unstable. Ps we are running a full slate of PPM Members.

      You dear writer need to stop the avoidance chat and recognise the real problem in our Parliamant. Its Wayne and this bunch of misfits who think they are so special they dint need to work with others in the best interests of Cayman. Leave the PPM alone they have served us proudly.

      #VOTEPPM

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      • Anonymous says:

        The PPM dragged themselves into this mess when they agreed to prop up this shameful excuse for a Govt

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      • Anonymous says:

        He refused because he would have to play along with their corruption. Does collective responsibility ring a bell? The same reason why Andre and crew left, so they could speak about the issues with no repercussions.

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      • Anonymous says:

        6:23,

        “Why even drag the PPM into this? They sit in opposition, they have no part to play in this fiasco”

        Given you have the memory of a goldfish or any understanding as to the current state of affairs, here are some facts as to why the PPM have been dragged into this:

        i. The beleaguered UPM minority government will be looking to the official opposition and the independent members across the aisle for support to steer through a raft of important laws”;

        ii. The new leader, Joey Hew, who will now have the task of leading the Progressives in the vote on these revenue-raising bills, which have already been calculated in the 2025 spending plan.

        The PPM sit in the LA and therefore they play a part.

        Sweet baby Jesus; legalise commonsense.

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      • Anonymous says:

        6.23, the real problem is political parties playing games and the ridiculous “one man, one vote” system that allows a person with 200 votes to run this country into the ground.

        People get more likes on a post they make to their social media accounts than our “Leaders” require in votes to get a Ministerial position that they know nothing about.

        We live in the twilight zone, our country is burning to the ground and yet all you do is blame a member of Govt when there are 18 others and a sh*t ton of civil servants that are collectively responsible.

        Pull your head out the sand, engage your brain, and stop falling hook, line and sinker for the sh*t show.

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      • Anonymous says:

        6:23

        PPM try sell your sorry story somewhere else.

        The comment “Ps we are running a full slate of PPM Members” tells us who you are!

        When Wayne Panton approached the PPM about joining them to form the Govt, you think we forget it was PPM that immediately fired off a press release saying so?

        Wayne was clearly happy to work with PPM but he had some reason to want to avoid them being in total control! The country agreed with him too – they did not want the PPM to be in control and likely still dont either!

        The PPM also had a major part to play in where we are now. It is not a well kept secret that they were working with Juliana through multiple motions of no confidence to plot a take over from a Premier that stood against special interests and for the people of the country!

        We could see Wayne was tired and fed up when he stepped down but the PPMs glee turned to horror when she double crossed them in favour of becoming premier herself.

        That was followed by the PPM voting for her vastly increased spending and borrowing budget not to mention the school of opulence! Almost certainly Wayne was pushing back on that extravagance! The price has only gone up since!

        We can see therefore that it was the PPM who were desperate for power because they felt entitled and they have in fact created the mess of a current situation. That is what happens when dirty politics goes sideways!

        Speaking of sideways, watch so see if the serial crasher and Juliana dont end up thick as thieves with the PPM again.

        Dont forget that at least 4 of the current 5 Ministers were supported by the PPM in the 2021 election although most stabbed them in the back in some cases more than once!

        Very few of our elected people can be trusted – dont let any of the PPM or the shambles remaining fool you.

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  16. Shawanda says:

    Too much red tape bureaucratic inefficiencies is all government action should be frankly run with two big buttons on a table red button green button wit backing of the voting community Dwayne the Rock Seymour hammer fist down green light go o red button no way not today bobo fine tuned streamlining progress to be unburdened from what has been

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