Minister also recommends Parliament have functional website for benefit of Bahamians living abroad
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis has recommended that the standing committee of Parliament established to review certain proposed changes also make recommendations on public parliamentary budget hearings.
He suggested this could afford the public better understanding of the allocation of the nation’s finances.
Halkitis, who led debate in the Senate on Monday on the resolution to establish the standing committee, said the budget debate, for example, occurs over two weeks before there is a committee stage where parliamentarians are able to ask questions of ministers and scrutinize items line by line.
But he said often ministers commit to coming back with an answer and do not.
“I know it’s kind of fun when you get to the committee stage and you get to grill the minister,” Halkitis said.
“When you’re in opposition, it is fun.
“When you’re in government, it is not so much fun.
“But should we move to more of a situation that they do in other countries where there are hearings by committees of Parliament?
“The ministers get an opportunity, along with their technical people, to defend their budget.
“Questions are asked at that stage and the public really gets a better answer than you get to the committee stage and you ask the minister a question and he says: ‘Well, I’ll come back to you.’
“You know he ain’ coming back.”
Halkitis chuckled.
“How do we evolve Parliament so that we better serve the public?” he asked.
“…it’s by giving them the information and the insight.”
Should we move to more of a situation that they do in other countries where there are hearings by committees of Parliament?
– Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis
He said as it relates to the budget, presenters would be able to explain the assumptions made in calculating certain expenses, and MPs, including the opposition, can ask questions while the public can better understand what goes into allocating the country’s finances.
He said there are many other examples that can be explored to achieve greater effectiveness of reporting to the Bahamian public on these and other matters involving Parliament.
The minister also recommended expanding Parliament’s reach, with thousands of students and Bahamians abroad.
He said Parliament should have its own website, without having to rely on the Parliamentary Channel, where it can stream proceedings, archive contributions of individual members and have the schedules of upcoming legislation and speakers posted, as well as written submissions.
“We can do it with technology and I really hope that particular — that we can get to the point where we are organized enough, and that’s on the government side — where we can have a schedule that we can put up in advance that people will be able to see,” Halkitis said.
