Opposition insists Joint Select Committee not enough to monitor hurricane relief

 

The parliamentary opposition is maintaining its stance that a Joint Select Committee of Parliament fails to satisfy the requirement for an oversight mechanism to guide the Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts. 

 

Floyd Green, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, wrote to the opposition stating that the committee was a clear response to greater oversight. 

 

The opposition says it is firm in its call for a national task force, one that goes beyond Parliament and includes representatives of the private sector, church, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, whose participation is essential to building trust in this moment of national crisis. 

 

It says the government continues to sidestep the issue. 

 

Phillip Paulwell, Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives, says the opposition will not relent in calling for the adoption of best practice models of transparent governance. 

 

"Contrary to the minister's assertions, the opposition has been consistent. We have been transparent and unwavering in our call for a national task force, one that goes beyond Parliament. It is therefore misleading and disingenuous for the minister to suggest that a Joint Select Committee of Parliament satisfies this call. The country knows better. A parliamentary committee drawn only from Members of Parliament and controlled by the government majority cannot and will never be a substitute for a national nonpartisan, multisectoral task force with real oversight responsibility," he maintained.

 

Mr. Paulwell said the opposition will continue to insist on good governance, full transparency and rigorous accountability.