Premier outlines legislative priorities ahead
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has highlighted several legislative priorities his government intends to pursue in the coming months.
Several of these focus on implementing recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) to ensure sustainable governance and robust legislative reforms.
Premier Wheatley focused on reinforcing the integrity and ethical standards within government operations, emphasising the need for updated laws that respond to contemporary challenges and ensure good governance.
Central to the Premier’s address was the introduction of the Integrity in Public Life Amendment Bill 2024, which will refine the existing framework to address conflicts of interest better and ensure robust standards of integrity among public officials.
Since the government passed the Integrity in Public Life Act several years ago, he said significant developments have occurred, including the publication of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.
The report offered various recommendations, including suggestions for House of Assembly members contracting with the government. It called for a review to address these issues specifically, highlighting the need for updated regulations and oversight in this area.
The proposed amendments involve significant shifts, including removing House of Assembly members from the act to maintain the separation of powers. “This is because we wanted to respect the universally accepted principle of separation of powers,” Dr Wheatley explained.
The Premier also spoke about introducing the Commission of Standards Bill, which received some pushback from lawmakers but will establish a new integrity framework specifically for the legislative branch.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to refine the Register of Interests Act, legislation seen as crucial for documenting the interests of House members and includes provisions to hold them accountable, such as potential suspension or withholding of salaries for non-compliance.
The government’s legislative changes outlined by the Premier are vital to ensuring that the BVI’s governance structures meet the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
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Premier Hon Dr. Natalio Wheatley, R-7, MoF, the propose Legislative Priorities Plan is light work,for Implementing CoI recommendations, ethical standards bill, Integrity in public life bill , commission of standards bill, etc, should be routine light work.. I have not a substantial Capital improvement Projects plan , ie, roads, water, wastewater, drainage, electricity, telecommunications, gas, ports, services; economic growth and diversification, improvement in the social infrastructure, ie, health, education, social services, etc; arresting the rising cost of living, arresting violent and property crime. It is the 21st century and time to get sophisticated, moving beyond horse and donkey status.