Lower House passes amendments to Political Ombudsman (Interim) Act

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

Despite a heated debate on Tuesday afternoon, the Act to Amend the Political Ombudsman (Interim) Act and to provide for connected matters was passed in the House of Representatives.

 

The law passed the committee stage without amendments.

 

It was passed amid sharp rejection by the opposition and back and forth between government and opposition members.

 

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck, who tabled the bill, hit back at the opposition's decision to withhold its support during last Tuesday's sitting of the House.

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding last week argued that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica should not assume the roles of the Office of the Political Ombudsman.

 

He said this would change the independent nature of the ECJ, an important part of its mandate.

 

But Minister Chuck defended the Act in the House of Representatives, contending that the ECJ has in the past functioned as an intervening body for political matters.

 

The Justice Minister also criticised the opposition for not previously rejecting the bill, which he said outlined the proposed functions, when it was drafted by the Parliamentary Commission in 2022.

 

A letter outlining the amendments was addressed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Opposition Leader for review and comments. 

 

"On November 10th, they were reminded, and who responded, Mr. Chairman? One Senator Peter Bunting: 'I have no objection. I would urge the executive, speedily consider the recommendations of the committee, so that there will not be a protracted period between the departure of the Ombudsman and the successor arrangements.'

 

"I don't know if Senator Peter Bunting was acting on his own. I don't know if the letter was received by the Leader of the Opposition Business, Philip Paulwell. It was sent to him. And that is why up to last week Monday, not one member of the Opposition [was] complaining, because we were in collaboration," Mr. Chuck insisted as he questioned whether the opposition was united. 

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding, in his response, said the fourteen member caucus was not in receipt of the bill prior to the initial tabling last week.

 

The opposition also urged the government in the last sitting to meet to discuss how the process will work or at least have a temporary ombudsman for the pending local government election but expressed disappointment that this was not done.