The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Democratic National Alliance yesterday released the party’s draft version of a Freedom of Information Act, with Deputy Leader Christopher Mortimer daring the Christie administration muster up the courage to “do what is right for the Bahamian people.”

During a press conference at the party’s East Street South headquarters, Mr Mortimer presented many of the key details of the 26-page document, proclaiming that the DNA has taken the initiative to make all the necessary amendments to all previously discussed drafts and produced a “ready to enact” piece of legislation.

Mr Mortimer said the DNA’s perspective has been and continues to be that any information related to business done on behalf of the Bahamian people, is information that Bahamians should have access to.

The draft document presented on Monday is highlighted by changes to the perimeters of exempt records, legal privileges and publication on information by public authorities.

The draft document calls for full access to all documents that have been made available as a part of Cabinet deliberations, with Mr Mortimer maintaining that his party’s legislation would void the potential for government “secret deals.”

Additionally, the DNA’s law would end the “power of privilege” hinted at in other pieces of legislation, which would allow government ministers to select which portions or aspect of documents are allowed into the public sphere.

Further to those two alterations, the DNA has also moved to cut the length of time needed before a document is made public from 15 years in other drafts to five years in this incarnation put forth by the DNA.

Mr Mortimer, the DNA’s candidate for Nassau Village in the 2012 general election, contended that Bahamians could no longer expect “real democracy” in a town in which vital information is being kept secret.

Admonishing successive governments for what he termed an abundance of “secret deals”, Mr Mortimer said flaccid attempts by both the FNM and the PLP to enact FOIAs have proven that both parties have no interest in being honest with the electorate.

“One of the cornerstones, one of the basic tenets of open democracy is the ability to have…. access to information,” stated Mr Mortimer.

He continued: “And as we can see over the past several weeks, but definitely over the last five years, maybe the past 25 years, the need for the people to have access to information about governance in the country.

“For far too long we have had governments, Cabinets deciding to make decisions on behalf of the Bahamian people; with really no accountability of that information to make sure they understand what is going on,” he added.

Mr Mortimer went on to accuse the 2007-2012 Ingraham administration of presenting “pieces of paper that they called the FOIA, that were riddled with holes.”

He said the party stopped short of providing substantial and necessary guidelines for implementation, resulting in the document’s political demise.

Subsequently, Mr Mortimer said the Christie administration’s attempt to produce its own FOIA is also wanting.

In May of last year, the government released a draft of a revamped version of the legislation.

The legislation was supposed to be tabled in the House of Assembly last month, but Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said this was delayed due to Hurricane Matthew. The bill is expected to be brought to Parliament before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Mr Mortimer said his party’s commitment to open, honest and responsible governance is clear even in the naming of its document.

He indicated that the party viewed the often-used “freedom of information” title as exhausted and tainted by previous administrations.

As a result, Mr Mortimer said the DNA has opted for a “right to information” title.

To date, the DNA said it has presented its draft to several civic bodies, with the hope that they would offer feedback and support. The party plans to “hand-deliver” its document to both Prime Minister Perry Christie and Mr Fitzgerald in the coming days.

According to party officials, if elected in the next general election, plans are in place to enact the legislation by July of 2017.