By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
Marco City MP Greg Moss has pledged that he will start using an obscure House rule to begin tabling Bills in Parliament, effectively sidelining the agenda of the ruling PLP party during particular sittings.
Frustrated with the Christie administration’s governance of the country, Mr Moss said he will directly challenge parliamentarians to vote on the bills, which will address issues like mortgage relief and home restoration.
Although governing members were silent on Wednesday as he announced his intentions on a point of order, they could result in a showdown between himself and members of the governing side should he indeed attempt to table bills as an independent MP.
His statements came during debate on a Bill to extend aspects of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
“I am just saying it openly that I will be bringing a Bill to amend the Conveyance and Law of Property Act,” he said, “to provide for mortgage relief for those persons who are losing their homes to banks to bring into this jurisdiction the provisions of Section 30 of the Provisions of Justice Act in the United Kingdom that I’ve been speaking about for three years to finally bring meaningful mortgage relief to this country.
“I will in the next Wednesday sitting of this House be bringing a Bill before this House for the Restoration of Homeownership Act 2015 to create a fund of $100m to provide for those persons who have lost homes to have an opportunity to get those homes again.
“We have to be serious about social justice in this country. I say this openly so everyone gets it. I will be calling for a poll in this House and let the Bahamian people see whether you are for them or whether you are against them. Let them see whether you are for mortgage relief or homeownership or whether you are against it. I put it out there before I do it so everyone has an opportunity to know this before I do it next month.”
In rationalising his intentions, Mr Moss said under the rules of the House, he is allowed to table a Bill whenever the House sits on the second Wednesday of each month.
Referring to Rule 36.2, he said: “It is the only place on the agenda in this House where private members are allowed to bring before this House, any bill that may emanate from this House for consideration of this House.
He added: “The purpose I mention that as a point of order Mr Speaker is that going forward, on the second Wednesday of each month, I am going to rise to ask: when we are dealing with private member bills? The rule is very clear.
“The government determines when we sit in a month. But when we sit in a month, the second Wednesday is to be devoted to private member business.”
House Speaker Kendal Major said he would take Mr Moss’ point of order under advisement and “report accordingly”.
Comments
Publius 8 years, 8 months ago
These "journalists", I tell you. What is "obscure" about the Rules governing members tabling Bills? It is not only in the Rules of the House, it is also in the Constitution, that members opposite can present any Bill except a money Bill (Budget Bill). It is so embarrassing to see the lack of knowledge that exists in the press corps in The Bahamas. Back in the day, you had to be at a certain level in your journalism career to even be assigned to cover Parliament at all. Today, all these reporters with almost zero knowledge about Parliament are "reporting" on the same, helping to keep the masses uninformed.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 8 months ago
Zero knowledge of anything "apparently", I'd say. They've really resorted to writing stories that are straight dictation. The majority don't even ask the obvious questions. But to the extent that they can actually write a full story (using proper grammar), it puts them head and shoulders above 50% of the population! which is pretty sad.
The_Oracle 8 years, 8 months ago
Certainly ethics within the house is obscure, nefarious self serving agendas are intentionally obscured, but still leak out of the closet thank goodness.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 8 months ago
Mr. Moss must know. the saying "You can do as much as you like, But not as long as you like" . Moss you just go ahead and have a good time, Because you will never be a member of the honourable house again.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 8 months ago
It's a pity that the PLP members you love so much and who claim to love you so much have not put forward the common sense proposals given by Mr Moss. And you really have to ask yourself WHY?
He is basically saying, if you have had your home for a given period, and you have been paying the mortgage, the bank cannot just come and repossess your home. In fairness to the banks, if you talk to them, they may work with you. Mr Moss is suggesting that the practice become the law of the land.
Why would the PLP members block him on this for 3 years? WHY, WHY, WHY?? Think about that. If the FNM were in power I'd ask the same. What are they gaining by NOT putting forward REAL mortgage relief?
You probably don't even understand what he is proposing but you oppose it because he's not one of your masters. **Use whatever is left in that brain of yours to think of the things you want to achieve, what you want your children to achieve and examine who is actually helping with those goals versus the ones who are giving lip service while they somehow get astronomically rich and you and your neighbors and family get laid off, lose homes, become victims of crime..etc etc.
this is not about blind loyalty. This is about COMMONwealth**
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