By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
SENATE President Kay Forbes Smith yesterday defended her right to private practice as she confirmed her engagement with Carnival Cruise Line as a local consultant and advisor.
Mrs Forbes-Smith, pictured below, confirmed she was retained last year as a part of a team of people. “As the president of the Senate, I have every right to work being president,” she said.
“I’ve always been working in PR and comms [communications] strategy. I would not take a contract with any government entity, I think that would be a conflict. But anything I do in my private life in the private sector is different.
Attorney General Carl Bethel told The Tribune on Friday there was no law stopping a parliamentarian from continuing their private practice.
He added it is unlikely there will be any bills or relative debate in the upper or lower house regarding the cruise line.
Yesterday, Mrs Forbes-Smith pointed out that most, if not all, previous Senate presidents were attorneys who worked full time. She noted she did not participate in debate as Senate president.
“I chair the meetings,” she said, “I don’t give comment on any law. My role is to chair the Senate chamber and to make sure the opposition and government senators are all conducting themselves in the way a senate should operate.
“There would be no conflicts,” she added.
Carnival has come under heavy scrutiny following reports that the cruise giant’s ships unlawfully dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of treated sewage and more than 8,000 gallons of food waste in Bahamian waters in 2017.
Government officials have launched an investigation, and the cruise line has maintained the dumping was not intentional and the result of human error.
Comments
birdiestrachan 4 years, 11 months ago
When others do what she has done it is called corruption.
She may as well enjoy her time. She was without work for a long time and soon will be again. What influence did she have on Carnival contract in her position as a member of the FNM Government?
The same FNM BAH MAR story pales in comparison. How much money changed hands??
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
Make sure you go to the article on the jetski operators too and scream.
They say the Port Authority Chairman working for Bahamar is corruption.
I mean y'all will really say anything.
Like i suggested to the other troll what is your name, so we may assess your credibility and achievements.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 11 months ago
Did she have doc ears and mouth. was she the go between the Government and Carnival?
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
I just want someone to pick a theory and stick to it.
First you say she gets the job because of her government job then you say she whisper in Doc ear; what ? that he should approve Carnival to come her and build the biggest port and create jobs in Grand Bahama.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 11 months ago
It is what it is. Both sides know exactly what's going on.
The investor knows that they're looking for someone in govt or with strong ties to govt to represent them. And persons in govt know that being there gives them greater access to business opportunities with investors.
The_Oracle 4 years, 11 months ago
Saddest is that they cannot see what is wrong with it, nor question Carnivals motivation for such a hire. Talk about transparent.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 11 months ago
It is the strangest thing...remember the executive chairman who said he saw no problem giving his private company a contract...because he had an obligation to his shareholders? And the deputy agreed with him.
sealice 4 years, 11 months ago
Yes it's quite clear why Carnival hired her... otherwise her dumb ass is back serving drinks in a flowery shirt with a fake smile....
Clamshell 4 years, 11 months ago
Bahamians should take pride in knowing they have the most open, transparent corruption in the Western Hemisphere.
joeblow 4 years, 11 months ago
... well said!
TalRussell 4 years, 11 months ago
These comrade red shirts got more flavours excuse away..... has be okay - cause didn't the PLP's did it..... than Baskin-Robbins got flavours, yes, no....... Baskin-Robbins colors are pink and blue - red shirts colours are red and blue polka dots representing look circus clowns balloons, yes, true be impossible just make these wanna be's PLP's, red shirts clowns up?
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
THIS IS A BALD FACED BLATANT CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Minnis should be asking for Smith-Forbes resignation from the Senate post haste. This situation would not pass muster under even the weakest code of conduct possible for parliamentarians. It is absolutely impossible for her to act as an advisor and consultant for Carnival while at the same time representing the interests of the Bahamian people as regards our country's dealings with Carnival. Smith-Forbes's judgment in this matter is fundamentally flawed in a most serious way and if Minnis does nothing about it, then he himself is no better than or different from Smith-Forbes when it comes to such glaring misconduct. There is no possible means by which Forbes-Smith can recuse herself as a sitting Senator and President of the Senate in any matter involving Carnival and, as we well know, there are many serious matters our government currently needs to address with Carnival.
ss242 4 years, 11 months ago
Imagine how successful you all can be if you all put this same energy into your jobs and get from behind these computer screens! Her work speaks for itself. Now have a nice day, sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
I don't know about her work, but her propensity for corruption certainly now speaks loud for itself. That we do know. And it remains to be seen whether Minnis will allow himself to be dumped into the same political quagmire that Smith-Forbes has created for herself given his many promises during the last general election campaign that a government led by him would have zero tolerance for all such conflicts of interest, whether real or apparent. In Forbes-Smith's case involving Carnival, she cannot escape the very 'real' aspects of the conflict. This matter is very different from 'apparent' aspects in the recent case involving the Symonette family and the new location of our GPO. The decision for Smith-Forbes is an easy one - either forthwith sever all business ties with Carnival or immediately resign from the Senate. By now she should have received a phone call from Minnis requesting that she do one or the other.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 11 months ago
Is Kay Smith Forbes also a consultant and advisor for OBAN? If not then who in the FNM Government is? And doc can fix his mouth to talk about corruption. Is he a masterful lair or just Dumb or is he both??
sealice 4 years, 11 months ago
Yea lady unfortunately in your case your right to work also stinks of collusion and bribes and the same shite you were supposed to be replacing crooked politicians.. another crooked politician please go directly to Jail do not collect your 200 dolla gubmint paycheck....
ss242 4 years, 11 months ago
imagine how successful you too can be if you all left behind those computer screens! Her work speaks for itself! Now enjoy the rest of your day!
ss242 4 years, 11 months ago
Imagine how successful if you all put this same energy into your jobs and get from behind these computer screens! Her work speaks for itself. Now have a nice day, sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ss242 4 years, 11 months ago
Imagine how successful all of you can be if you all put this same energy into your jobs and get from behind these computer screens! Her work speaks for itself. Now have a nice day, sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 11 months ago
I truly cannot stand these political operatives, their party finds them employment by strong arming companies when they're in power. They have no skills, no talent and no brains. Yet they get these jobs at the expense of qualified citizens who actually deserve the jobs. PLP and FNM do this crap. That is how she ended up at GB Shipyard, took that job from actual qualified Bahamians.
These political operatives sicken me....
Dawes 4 years, 11 months ago
This has been going on for ever. UBP used to do it, PLP did it, and FNM doing it. If DNA gets in they'll do it. Its not right, but we have no real regard for what is right or wrong so it won't stop.
TalRussell 4 years, 11 months ago
Nah, never-mind's, doubtful be's any business ordinary comrade Out Islanders populace get see wording outlining what Disney expects from high powered red shirts politically appointed hired consultant and advisor be's consulting and advising on, about and to whom.... and anticipated range remuneration, yes no?
DDK 4 years, 11 months ago
Conflict of interest. Full stop. IT'S THE PEOPLE'S TIME! They don't seem to remember.
ss242 4 years, 11 months ago
Smh!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
Renward Wells and Minnis were telling us that our environmental laws needed significant updating so that government could take appropriate action against the cruise ship owners, like Carnival, whenever they were found to be dumping raw and/or partially treated sewerage into our waters along with food waste and ballast contaminants. Now we have flea infested Bethel telling us there will not be any such legislation and therefore Forbes-Smith has no conflict of interest in acting as an advisor and consultant to Carnival while she serves as President of the Senate. Someone is outright lying to the Bahamian people. All of these elitist political twits take the Bahamian people to be fools who can be stomped on time and time again.
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
Maybe I am out of touch - as clearly all of you are of a certain age and political persuasion - whether it just be pure conspiracy theorists. Y'all need to either get a job, get off the computer or get laid. Actually, I think Diane Sawyer just did a special about obsession with online commentary.
Don't all the senators work in private life. Alas, the point of the senate chamber. Thank God I actually learnt in school. In the Westminster system - senators are suppose to emerge from civil society and contribute as civilians - not spew partisan drivel all day. Furthermore, senators do not write laws - they debate and comment all the legislation that only Parliament has the authority to pass as civilians or representatives of the civic arm of society.
Pickup one of y'all children social studies book or better yet they print a book call the Bahamas Hand Book every year with this information.
So are you say that all the other senators should quit their day jobs. Should the young lady who was chosen by the PLP quit her job at BPL; should the other man stop fishing and operating taxi services or whatever he does; should the other man stop practicing medicine; should Fred stop being chairman of the PLP; should the doctor stop prating medicine - should he not see clients referred to him from the public clinics and hospitals; should the other young man stop practicing law; should the other woman who is a trade unionist drop out.
TalRussell 4 years, 11 months ago
Ma comrade Hoda, is it not possible you got's so much your long list points, upside down?
Does you not acknowledge that as a result of his or her 'politically' appointed position Upper Red Chamber, a Senator does have access sensitive information and documents that is not generally available PeoplePublic, nor a PLP chairman's yes, no...... And what about having access highly confidential government files and the governing politically elected, appointed and on PeoplesPublic's payroll, yes, no?
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
What sensitive information - does a senator have access to that is not public information? They debate draft bills. Thats it. Public PayRoll - again check the Handbook - Senators make a stipend of like $1,000 - and it is not a full time position at law. You simply do not know this and basis your conclusion on incorrect principles of law.
It is simple - you all are making suggestions with out any facts as most Bahamians do all day online.
So again, should the rest of the senators quit their day jobs at BPL, practicing law, stop being doctors accepting government money, should they stop driving taxi - you don't think when these hotel and other things open on the island he isn't gonna be offering his services like all the rest. Should the trade unionist quit every time a union gets mad? Should they stop pursuing their ventures outside of the politics because you have decided that they should not?
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
If your are referring to Bills/ Draft Legislation - you can go to the AG office and request anything you like or go right to the House Assembly and look at what they have on the agenda.
Are you aware that MPs have the right to introduce legislation or Private Bills - meaning that if you have something so pressing on your heart you can draft a bill and get an MP to promote it and Parliament will debate and vote on it. In the USA, Europe those countries so often used for comparison, this is what they - its call lobbying.
Bahamians always looking for some conspiracy to explain their lot in life. If you wasn't busy online commenting on every story you can actually do something to make your life or the community life better. But, like your generation has done since 1973 you choose the route of big talk and nothing to show for it.
Also, it lazy and weak to just address the FRED point, address it all. Should all the other senators quit their day jobs. Why is it okay for some to have "access to this confidential/sensitive information" and others its okay?
Furthermore, I am tired of hearing about corruption this and corruption that. If you go to Magistrates Court anyday of the week - its the everyday Bahamian worker and government workers in the court for thiefin the MAN time and money. But the reality is nobody wants to hear that.
You wanna blame the politicians for this and that. But like it is said they come and ago. It's the everyday Bahamian worker who is there forever and then when you try fire or retire them - y'all get online and scream they do it cause of this and that. I mean just last week I had to go deal with a government worker - she was just the person answering the phone - and didn't wanna connect me to the requested department - until I tell her what I wanted. Why is that ? Cause y'all old people mouth to sippy and wanna be in everyone business cause y'all stuck. If y'all would stop playing numbers and drinking Barton gin - the future would look so dark and sad.
Lets not even get to the grown men who in court hiring lawyer and talking about they can't afford to give their children mothers $ 40 a week. Please go sit in one day - I think it will be enlightening to see the depth of the delusion going around this town from generation X.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
Sitting Senators can have private careers but they cannot allow their private careers to create conflicts of interest, especially of the very real kind that Forbes-Smith certainly has with Carnival. Forbes-Smith's real conflict here no doubt involves self-gain to the detriment of the interests of the Bahamian people. End of story!
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
Please publish your list of approved places that persons who work for the government may participate in and share it with the world.
Then explain what the senate does - clearly you don't know. Read Bahamas Read.
You are dangerous, so ignorant.
None of you have any facts to support your arguments. I'm disappointed and bored. Clearly you are an middle aged man who has seen better days #typicalbahamianman making accusations say your name and let's assess your credibility, career prospects, achievements.
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
Make sure you and your friends go the jets story:
Now another group of men and women unhappy with the life are saying the Port Authority Chairman corrupt cause he work to Bahamar.
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