Don’t publicise all HOA meetings and hearings
Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith has pushed back against a key recommendation from the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) that all hearings and meetings of the House of Assembly (HOA) should be held in public.
During the ongoing debate on the CRC report, Hodge-Smith said she fully supports the principles of representative democracy, accountability, transparency, and public participation. However, she made clear that she does not agree with mandating that every House hearing and committee meeting must be open to the public.
“I am in support of this particular recommendation. I agree to it in regard to representative democracy, accountability, and transparency, and public participation. But I am not particularly in agreement that all hearings and meetings be held in public, but I do support making all changes public at the time when the bill is being finalised,” Hodge-Smith said.
The Junior Minister suggested that there are other ways to keep residents informed, including through digital platforms.
“We have a lot of social media available that we could possibly create a website that could, if there’s one already, we could use a website that could share the information immediately after decisions have been made,” she said.
Her position contrasts with several colleagues who have strongly backed greater openness during the constitutional review debate. Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn said the public is demanding more inclusion in decision-making and argued that reforms are needed to modernise parliamentary practices that he believes foster secrecy.
Other legislators, including Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull, have also stressed that every citizen should have a stake in the process and that transparency is crucial to building trust.
The CRC’s Recommendation 1 calls for the HOA’s standing orders to be amended to strengthen transparency and accountability. It specifically urges that all hearings and meetings be made public where possible, that government departments strictly adhere to reporting timelines to support oversight, and that all bills be published before debate to allow for consultation. The Commission noted that the public has long complained about bills being rushed through the House without adequate notice or opportunities for review.
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I guess she don’t want people to see how little she could only contribute to the discussions.
Just who the hell this one timer ignorant useless snake in the grass think she is? Keep telling y’all watch the den of snakes. Who don’t listen or hear shall feel the sting of the snakes.
Don’t want transparency despite the COI’s recommendation?
Why are we not surprised by the continued corruption in this place!
HEAR CLOWNSOUP
This is not a nice start for you dear. I wish if you can retract that statement. Don’t look good for a first timer. Transparency.. accountability. Honesty. Integrity. Is all what you mentioned. But personally believe you’re contradicting your self with that statement in layman terms. Your basically telling us you want to feed us with a teaspoon with information
WTF
How e k se would we per p equate the reality of this place as secretive and underhanded behind closed door and the subsequent denials and untruths.
Dahlin’ did you really say such a thing..in seriousness as a solution to what ails the proper functioning of our democratic governance?
Your slip is showing. You just isn’t ready for the Job!!
People of the 4th, this lady has been in the news the last week for the wrong reasons. She is against the term limits and she is saying not every House hearing and committee meeting must be open to the public. Luce is a waste, l didn’t vote for her and for this same reason.She drank the kool-aid.
Lower Estate is hot mess. Car rental village
Long Bush is a dump,trash village. Drive thru anytime and you would see vehicles on
both sides of the road.
Soca cruise coming in November that’s when you are going to see this lady. Photo op for her to look good. What a waste
I just want to know how persons who vote for a person feels after hearing statements like this.
One Termer!!!! If A Dog Runs in the 4th Come 2027 or sooner You Gone!!!!
No real leader can lead with everyone yammering during the discussions and strategizing and decision making. Such a leader would be ineffective. While all soldiers need to know the plan, it is the Commander in Chief and his generals who go behind closed doors to formulate the strategy and plan of attack or defense. Can you imagine if all of the soldiers were sitting there in the room? Chaos and nothing gets done! But social media has now made it seem like everyone should have something to say. There are a lot of people we know who need to STFU but have the most to say but nothing to really contribute.
wa yah say more secret votes on things that dont benefit the country lol
yall done bold face doing stuff and still doing stuff under the table might as well hide everything from now on?
i guess them didnt like the loud outcry after finding out the greedybill and double pay raise
NATURES SECRET SOCIETY
After a COI?