Cricket World Cup bill gets rough passage in Senate
THE Senate yesterday gave Parliament’s final stamp of approval to the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Act, ensuring its passage to meet the November 1 deadline.
The bill, also known as the Sunset Legislation, has provisions for Jamaica, as one of nine Caricom countries participating in hosting next year’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, to facilitate the hosting of the event by providing for the fulfilment of Jamaica’s obligations under the agreement.
But the passage of the bill through the floor of the Upper House was not as smooth as anticipated, especially as Opposition members were enraged to find that a door had been built to block journalists from moving around the gallery.
Leader of Opposition Business Anthony Johnson felt that the President of the Senate Syringa Marshall-Burnett should order the door open before the start of the debate. But, the president resisted. She claimed that she was unaware of the issues leading to the construction of the door, as she was abroad, and that she was advised by the clerk that a meeting would be held Tuesday morning to discuss the issue.
Leader of Government Business A J Nicholson, also opposed the proposal, saying that the matter of the limitations imposed on the Press was not before the Senate.
“If they wish after this debate to have it aired so be it. I am willing to be here. But the debate (on the Sunset Legislation) cannot be interrupted for that,” Senator Nicholson said.
Senator Johnon insisted that the Standing Orders should be suspended to allow the Senate to debate the matter, after which the Sunset Legislation should be taken. He said that the Senate was allowing the House to dictate to it how it should deal with its press coverage.
But, the president refused, and accused Senator Johnson of interrupting the debate on the Sunset bill which was “proceeding procedurally”.
“You are incorrect, and I cannot accommodate your request. I am sorry, not at this time. If you want to raise the matter on the motion for adjournment you may do so but not at this time.
The Opposition members left the chamber to discuss how they would proceed. When they returned, they asked for a break to review the 20 amendments to the sunset bill which were taken in the House on Tuesday. They also noted that the Sunset bill was not properly before them.
The Senate’s Standing Orders require that four days should elapse between the first and second reading of bills, unless the Senate, on motion made and question put, agree to proceed with the bill at an earlier date. The Standing Orders also state that “no bill shall be read a second time until it has been printed and circulated to members”.
The opposition had agreed last Friday that the debate could go ahead yesterday, in light of the urgency of the matter. However, they said yesterday that the passage of 20 amendments in the House Tuesday had changed that.
Senator Nicholson said that only four or five of the amendments were substantial, as the others were mainly tidying up changes.
Opposition senator Dwight Nelson insisted that they needed time to look at the amendments and return to the chamber.
Senator Nicholson suggested that the time be limited to no more than half an hour. But Senator Johnson protested, saying that it was offensive for the government to put a time limit on the period they needed to review the issues.
President Marshall-Burnett eventually agreed to a 45-minute break, after which the opposition returned to the chamber. A prolonged debate followed and eventually the bill was passed without any further amendments.