The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FNM Senator Rick Fox pushed back at criticisms over his appointment to the Senate as a first time voter during his first speech in the Senate yesterday while also taking a subtle swipe at the appointment of National Development and Innovation Minister Sebas Bastian.

Mr Fox, in a wide-ranging speech that addressed government debt, voter apathy and economic independence, criticised the government's priorities while outlining what he said were key challenges facing the country.

Mr Fox called voter turn-out in the May election a troubling sign and said it demonstrates why people who have never voted should be encouraged and not insulted.

Speaking on his own voting experience, the former NBA champion said he expected long lines, excitement and energy, but found the opposite.

“I stood there wondering whether I'd arrived on the wrong day, and then a troubling thought crossed my mind,” he said. “Perhaps the real story of our last election was not who won, nor who lost, perhaps the real winner was a three time champion, apathy.”

He said no political party benefits when citizens become disengaged and stressed that democracy itself weakens when less voices are heard.

“Which is why I never understand why being called a first time voter was supposed to be an insult,” he said. “If anything, we should be celebrating first time voters, encouraging them, recruiting them, welcoming them.”

“Because if a nation begins mocking first time voters, it should not be surprised when fewer people show up, unless that's your game plan for three peat, and if fewer people show up, democracy weakens.”

His comments come amid criticism and public questioning of FNM leader Michael Pintard’s decision to appoint him to the Senate instead of the party’s deputy leader, Shannendon Cartwright.

Former Cabinet minister Leslie Miller called Mr Pintard “mean-spirited” and “spiteful” over the move, while Prime Minister Philip Davis mocked him for appointing a “first time voter” over his deputy.

Yesterday, Mr Fox cautioned leaders against viewing members of the Bahamian diaspora as outsiders, calling them valuable asset whose knowledge and experience can benefit the country.

He said Bahamians worldwide represent their homeland in boardrooms, classrooms, laboratories, businesses and universities.

“Their success is our success,” he said. “Their experience is our resource. Their returns should be celebrated, not questioned, encouraged, not discouraged, because every Bahamian who comes home with knowledge, skills, investment, and a desire to contribute strengthens this country.”

He thanked Mr Pintard “for having the courage to take the road less traveled” and giving him the opportunity to serve in the Senate.

He also used his maiden speech to criticise the government's spending priorities, describing the budget as a “commitment budget” rather than an “accountability” one.

On the Davis-led Cabinet, Mr Fox said the Prime Minister built a ministry of nearly “everything.”

While stressing that he has no issue with ambition, he suggested that the Davis administration’s priorities appeared to be misplaced.

“He found room to create a brand new Ministry of National Development, and to seat a newcomer at the cabinet table to run it, and in my opinion it gambles with the future of our country,” Mr Fox said.

“But there is one ministry the numbers are screaming for and it has no door, no sign, and no minister. I call that the ministry of debt.”

“Surely the Prime Minister would have an idea of who that one politician could be. Madam President,” he said. “Are we going to keep paying for the past or are we going to finance the future because every dollar sent to the Ministry of Debt is a dollar that cannot build the next Bahamas.”

Mr Fox said a good budget “tells you what it spends”, while an excellent budget “tells you what it intends to change.”

He argued that government spending should be tied to measurable outcomes, warning that any budget line that cannot state what it changes should be placed under review.