Premier denies rushing legislation through the House of Assembly

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has rejected accusations that his government is rushing legislation through the House of Assembly without adequate consultation.

The Premier addressed the issue during a press conference yesterday, where he defended the legislative process undertaken by his administration.

Dr Wheatley acknowledged that the Virgin Islands’ legislative agenda has been ambitious, citing efforts to implement recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (COI).
“We stay there countless nights. We’re there hour upon hour to make sure we get it right. So I wouldn’t agree that we rush it,” he stated.

The Premier explained that legislative proposals brought to the House of Assembly often undergo extensive amendments. “The proposal that comes from Cabinet is just that – it’s just a proposal. Legislators have work to do, and oftentimes we do that work in the House,” Dr Wheatley said.

The parliamentary Opposition previously criticised the government, alleging that some laws were introduced before being adequately reviewed. However, the Premier stressed that his administration has prioritised public consultation where necessary, using examples like the ongoing consultations on a national tourism policy and COI-related reforms. “Public consultation is very important to us,” he emphasised.

In addition to rejecting claims of rushed legislation, Dr Wheatley highlighted the government’s productivity. “We’ve been ambitious. We’ve produced a lot of legislation, and I’m proud of the content of the legislation that we’ve produced,” he said. “I believe that we have the appropriate level of scrutiny.”

The Premier also addressed broader concerns, including criticism that consultations were insufficient. He argued that such claims often stem from political narratives. “If you repeat it enough times, sometimes people start to repeat it as well,” he said, dismissing the Opposition’s assertions.

Legislative reform has been a focal point of the Virgin Islands government following recommendations from the COI. These changes have included measures to improve transparency and governance across various sectors.

Despite the criticism, Dr Wheatley affirmed that his administration remains committed to advancing policies and reforms that benefit the territory. “The Opposition has to find something to say. So that’s one thing that they say,” he added.