The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell accused the Free National Movement and The Nassau Guardian of trying to sabotage the Davis administration’s push to improve allowances for parliamentarians.

Mr Mitchell said the discussions were aimed at giving parliamentarians the resources needed to serve constituents, arguing that existing allowances have not kept pace with the demands placed on elected officials.

“The Nassau Guardian and the FNM are now at it again, seeking to sabotage a genuine effort on the part of the government of Prime Minister Philip Davis to enable the work of parliamentarians,” Mr Mitchell said in a statement.

“This requires a relationship between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition of trust. It appears now that any trust with the leader of the opposition is misplaced and he is willing to cut off his nose to spite his face.”

Last week, The Nassau Guardian reported on a draft amendment to the Parliamentarians Salaries and Allowances Act that would give MPs $32,000 annually and senators $16,000 annually in duty allowances, in addition to their salaries.

Mr Mitchell argued that MPs face growing demands from constituents, particularly those who represent sprawling constituencies across multiple islands.

He cited the FNM MP for MICAL, saying that constituency spans five islands and presents major logistical challenges. He also pointed to the FNM MP for East Grand Bahama, saying that constituency also includes multiple islands.

Mr Mitchell also repeated Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ allegation to The Nassau Guardian that Opposition Leader Michael Pintard first raised the issue of allowances by asking the government to provide the MP for St Anne’s with an allowance for his work as leader of opposition business in the House of Assembly.

Mr Pintard denied Mr Davis’ claim that he initially proposed an increase in compensation for politicians.

Mr Mitchell said Mr Davis responded to the request by suggesting that all allowances be reviewed, including whether the leader of the opposition should receive the same salary and allowances as a Cabinet minister.

“Michael Pintard now suddenly seems to have developed amnesia on the point,” he said. “The matter was leaked to the press, and now he's like Pontius Pilate, washing his hands. I say again, with regard to the leader of the opposition and the Prime Minister, it should be a matter of trust.”

Mr Mitchell said the broader issue is whether parliamentarians are properly equipped to do their jobs, insisting that allowances and resources have not been updated in decades and are inadequate.

The debate over parliamentary compensation comes as the House of Assembly has gone on its summer break. Mr Davis has said he will make a decision on the issue after the break.