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By Halshane Burke
Opposition Senator Peter Bunting and acting Senate President Charles Sinclair clashed on Wednesday over aspects of the opposition senator's presentation.
Senator Bunting began his contribution on the Appropriations Act 2024 by reading into the records the portion of Opposition Leader Mark Golding's budget speech that he was not able to present due to the walk out by government MPs.
Mr. Bunting critised the government over its stewardship of the country, highlighting issues surrounding governance.
But the acting Senate President objected to aspects of Mr. Bunting's presentation, insisting that he stick to the subject matter before the Senate.
"Senator Bunting, I am not going to get into an argument with you.
I will tell you and I will tell any member, whether it is on your side or on the government side, that you are going to confine your presentation to what is contained in the bill before us. Thank you," said Mr. Sinclair.
This did not sit well with Senator Bunting who told the acting president that he would not be muzzled.
"The bill before us covers every aspect of government.... It covers the Auditor General, it covers the Clerk of the House, it covers the Integrity Commission, every crevice and corner of government."
"If you want to muzzle me, you going to have to take me out of here. You can shut off the thing, you can walk out and remove a quorum; do whatever you want, but this is my contribution. I am speaking to this book which covers every aspect of government," he maintained.
The oppositon senator was eventually allowed to conclude his presentation.
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