Premier says ‘Greedy Bill’ changes to come in HOA’s 2nd sitting

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed hope that the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services) Amendment Act, 2021, referred to by some residents as the ‘Greedy Bill’, will be addressed before the third sitting of the House of Assembly (HOA) rolls around.

“It is my goal to, by the time we have our second [HOA] sitting — the sitting after we’re sworn in — that we are able to bring amendments to the [Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services) Amendment Act],” the Premier said at a press briefing yesterday.

The law, in essence, granted lawmakers lump sum payments, gratuity and guaranteed salaries for years to come, even in instances where they are voted out of office after serving as first-term legislators.

Dr Wheatley promised during the election campaign to forego any payments owed to him as a result of the amended law.

“I’m going to man up and I’m gonna say that was a mistake and I’m gonna man up as well and say, I will not collect a dime,” Dr Wheatley said during the campaign season. “I will not collect a dime on that retirement act in its current form and I intend, God willing, [if] I’m given the opportunity, to repeal the entire bill.”

Now, the Premier has once again expressed a commitment to repealing the offending sections of that bill.

“It is my firm belief that… the years of full salary, based on your tenure of service, that we should eliminate those and persons should be able to get… a pension based on a decent salary,” he argued.

The Premier further contended that the salary for legislators should be determined by a third party and said this is something he will also bring to his Cabinet.