Gov't says significant progress made on constitutional reform bill

 

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte says significant progress has been made in the drafting of the constitutional reform bill.

 

Speaking in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday afternoon, Minister Malahoo Forte said the bill could be brought to Parliament in the coming weeks.

 

"It is quite possible to complete the remaining steps and have the bill tabled as early as next week, before the Christmas break," said the minister, who noted that the proposed bill contains 36 clauses, and is "intended to achieve national goals about which there is no dispute from either side of the parliamentary aisle or within the political parties".  

 

She said the bill will abolish constitutional monarchy and appoint a Jamaican head of state, transitioning the country to a republic.    

 

The bill also seeks to entrench the Electoral Office of Jamaica in the constitution and proposes incorporation in the constitution for treatment of national symbols and emblems. 

 

But Opposition Leader Mark Golding on Tuesday declared that the parliamentary opposition still has serious concerns about the legislation, making it clear that he would not support the bill in its current form.

 

According to Mr. Golding, there are several issues raised by the opposition which have not been addressed by the government.

 

"Without the support of this side, this process is going nowhere. And we have put on the table issues of real concern, and unless those are address, our support is not guaranteed. And I have not heard anything," he lamented as he urged the government to engage the opposition regarding the concerns "if there is a genuine hope of moving forward in passing this legislation". 

 

The Opposition Leader has insisted that the government has to do away with the UK-based Privy Council as the country's final court in the new constitutional arrangement.

 

He has also requested that an impeachment clause be included in the amendment.

 

Mrs. Malahoo Forte said the concerns raised by Mr. Golding have being considered, and some suggestions were taken onboard and will be reflected in the draft legislation.