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Nottage refuses to answer on equality referendum

Dr Bernard Nottage

Dr Bernard Nottage

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE the nation’s leader previously stating that the proposed constitutional referendum on gender equality may take place this month, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage yesterday refused to answer when asked for an update on the proposed referendum’s timeline.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Perry Christie indicated that he did not want to delay the referendum any further and hoped to hold it by June. When questioned by The Tribune yesterday, however, Dr Nottage, the minister responsible for elections and referenda, would not provide so much as a tentative date for the referendum.

When questioned yesterday for an update, Dr Nottage told The Tribune: “I am not speaking about the referendum at this time.”

Dr Nottage’s reluctance to speak on the matter came a day after Constitutional Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney said the committee is “just about finished” with its public education campaign.

Mr McWeeney said there is “next to nothing” remaining on the commission’s calendar, indicating on Sunday that the group had “almost” finished its Family Island consultations, visiting every island with return visits scheduled for a few settlements.

The referendum, which has been delayed several times since 2013, was first expected in June of that year to coincide with the 40th anniversary of independence. It was then delayed to November 2013, but it was later said the vote would happen by the end of June 2014.

Last summer, Mr Christie announced it would take place on November 6, 2014, and the relevant bills were tabled in the House of Assembly. However, after significant push back – even from some Progressive Liberal Party MPs – over the wording of some of the bills, the government again delayed the vote.

There is concern in some quarters that Bill Four in particular, which seeks to end discrimination based on sex, could pave the way for gay marriage. The government has repeatedly said this concern is unwarranted.

Nonetheless, the repeated delays in the referendum have led many to question the government’s commitment to gender equality.

Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner has said that with every passing day, it becomes more uncertain if the referendum will ever take place.

“This delay has little to do with the questions and everything to do with the rushed and botched process,” Mrs Butler-Turner said in an earlier interview.

“The government destroyed this matter with the way they went about it. The PLP forced aspects of this referendum on the public without clarification or explanation.”

Comments

Cobalt 9 years, 3 months ago

Isn't this some bull- s#%t!!! This man is being paid by the people of the Bahamas to represent the people of the Bahamas..... yet, when asked a question related to national importance...... he REFUSES to answer!! What the hell kind of country is this???? The fundamental practice of a democracy is that elected leaders are accountable and answerable to the people!!

I wish I could see the actual faces of the Bahamian people who voted for the Bernard Nottage and the PLP! And then these very same people have the nerve to stand on the unemployment line and complain about our state of affairs and how tough things are!!

GrassRoot 9 years, 3 months ago

maybe he talks when we pay him more?

asiseeit 9 years, 3 months ago

The man does not even know the crime statistics in a country where he is supposedly the minister of National security, how the hell do you think he would know when the referendum (opinion poll) would be held?

Bahamianwoman 9 years, 3 months ago

This is absolutely unbelievable that in 2015 our leaders are still PONDERING GENDER EQUALITY!!!!!!!! WHAT IS THIS???????? We are one of the few countries in the world that still do not have gender equality. It is amazing to me seeing as though women in The Bahamas generally make up the workforce and make up the majority of the graduates from our high schools and colleges. Pressure needs to be put on these jokers. WAKE UP!!!!!! Bahamian women, we need to start making some noise! I personally find this government a huge disappointment to women and Bahamians in general.

birdiestrachan 9 years, 3 months ago

Mr. Nottage did not refuse to answer , His answer was I will not speak to the issue at this time. there is a difference. The reporter did not like his answer .so they write he refused to answer.

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