RESPONSE TO THE THRONE SPEECH BY Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson
“We Need A Plan”
Salutation
My Speaker, Hon Colleagues, Persons in the Gallery, Listeners by Radio, Good morning.
Greetings
I wish to extend my very best wishes to the people of these Islands and to wish all a progressive, happy and Christ filled New Year. And then I wish to extend my sincerest sympathy to all those who have lost loved ones during the festive season and early in this New Year. I will continue to pray that the God of comfort visits you and your home. To you Mr Speaker, my colleagues and I extend to you and your family our deepest sympathy. And then on a more positive note, I wish to extend our best wishes to Ma Dookie who is celebrating her Birthday today. May God continue to bless you with good health and strength.
Throne Speech 2012
Just a little over a year ago, we were here in Parliament opening this Hon House for its first session and bursting with excitement as a people to have an elected Government and riding on high hopes that we will be able to move quickly ahead in the right direction in all efforts to restore our country, our dignity and our reputation through mature, visionary and a progressive partnership. Yes we had hoped.
We saw a slow start and attributed it to a planning process realizing that it was the obvious position that the Government elected had not been ready to govern from Day 1. We saw a Bi Election where the slogan “Full Speed Ahead” was abandoned for “Staying the course”. The people of these Islands returned the Ewing led Administration and even though in the Opposition for love of country, we were hoping that the already sluggish Government would receive an energy boost or at the very least an inspiration and injection of enthusiasm to work for the people of these Islands. Mr Speaker, Some 14 months later and we are still marking time on spot on too many critical areas.
We, Mr Speaker, I like the people of these Islands are dismayed and disappointed that much more hasn’t been done towards fulfilling the promises or commitments made in the then Throne Speech last year or the Budget Address. In fact it has been exactly 1 year and 2 months to date since a new Government was elected and exactly 426 days which means that the first 100 days plan could have been approached and achieved at least 4 times.
Mr Speaker, as I sat and listened to the Throne Speech I realized that I was not as enthusiastic and as hopeful as I was 426 days ago. A novice though seasoned in Party Politics, I had hopes of working together on all fronts to move this country forward. You see Mr Speaker, I believed that egos and arrogance had no place in this period and that there would be a mind to rebuild together realizing that it was a difficult time and place to lead and there was a need to pull together. Mr Speaker though late, we on this side of the House got the message and albeit late, we got the message, we are told to wait our turn to govern.
So Mr Speaker forgive me if I am not as hopeful that this Government will live up to the new commitments made this year in the Throne Speech when it failed to deliver on 69 of the 74 commitments made last year.
5 we see evidence of being worked on, 5 commitments were removed from the Government’s own Budget and 2 Programs ongoing removed from the Budget, the others we have either no update or no action at all in the periodic reports or the end of year Addresses.
Mr Speaker we note the absence of the Guiding Principles in this year’s Throne Speech. The Government committed to be led by two Guiding Principles. Mr Speaker some 400 years later and there is no declaration in this regard and perhaps Mr Speaker the single line included about Christian beliefs is to be its substitute but though it mentions good govern, they have abandoned the use of the words transparency and accountability. But Mr Speaker I see why, because we saw the greatest breach because last year of transparency. Perhaps the best examples of lack of transparency is the position on the two write offs where the Opposition had to beg for background information, accountability (Failure to answer questions properly and sometimes not at all. At one point Mr Speaker on one occasion, you yourself had to say to a Minister that that could not be the answer to the question. And Mr Speaker, good governance, Mr Speaker, we saw breaches and the dismissal of the Code of Conduct and provisions of the Constitution.
Mr Speaker there is a sense of de javu and that Mr Speaker is because the Throne Speech appear mirrors heavily the same Throne Speech in November 2012 and Mr Speaker some sections are the exact word or simply tweaked but has the same meaning.
We are pleased to see the following areas raised in the Throne Speech but again are more than skeptical that the Government will do anything.
Mr Speaker the goals identified by the Government are issues of concern that the people have in this country and I am happy that the Government is at least mentioning the people’s issues and I applaud them. However Mr Speaker I note the absence of a stronger commitment to protect our environment and natural resources.
Mr Speaker I congratulate the Government on its successful efforts to get stalled Projects going as this was critical in the area of creating jobs. And Mr Speaker I wish to call on the Government to ensure through its issuance of work permits and other policies that Turks and Caicos Islanders are given preference for the jobs during the construction and operational stages.
Whilst a Throne Speech cannot contain everything, a Government’s priority is shown in it and we are disappointed that the highlighted in this Address.
A few words mentions about the Constitution Commission is not good enough. Mr Speaker we expected to see a more committed approach to the review of the Country’s Constitution considering the Opposition has called for it and supported the establishment of a Committee to review and additionally Caricom has also made this recommendation. Mr Speaker, we spent the greater part of last year, hearing the Premier and members of his Cabinet speak to the Constitution as a stumbling block but we see that the Commission or the Constitution was not a priority but seems to be preferred as a crutch to complain that it, the Government is unable to do certain things.
Mr Speaker the members on this side of the House as Shadow Ministers will speak to the areas they shadow but I will highlight a few points and begin with the area that I shadow.
Mr Speaker we had hoped to see the following areas treated as priority :
Immigration – for the last year and two months we waited for the promised Immigration Policy promised to be built upon the still relevant 2004 BRC Report and the promised consultation. What we saw was a piece meal approach and scattered policies and rumors of what the Government was intending to do or did.
On the matter of unemployment we expected a commitment to the review of work permits and to begin an approach from using the grant of same to secure revenue. We expected that the Government would have finally seen the wisdom in our recommendation on which we campaigned and that is for a comprehensive immigration system that will maintain a skills data base, the number of work permits and details to ensure understudies and the placement of TC Islanders in key stakeholder positions and also the assist the Government in its national needs list for recruitment overseas and for scholarships and training. We expected that there would be a firmer commitment to ascertain the true picture of the unemployed. But what we got is the comfortable statement. Mr Speaker we know the problems in Immigration and Labour and it appears that the Government does not have the will power to want to deal with this issue. Mr Speaker in 2004 the then Government spent over $100k on a Consultation that has been endorsed by two British advisors and remains relevant and we are still here making a weak Statement in the Throne Speech again and the promised consultation in the last Throne Speech has been removed. Mr Speaker. Immigration needs clear and transparent policies, a reliable database and a highly motivated, trained and well resources Ministry.
Policy of Haiti – Mr Speaker with the flirting going on between this country and the country with which we have the greatest challenge in the breach of our borders and with the uneasiness and tension rising among our people, I expected a clear statement on this or at least an indication for a firm policy to be crafted on what our relationship with Haiti will be. Mr Speaker our people want to know what are the Government’s plans, what is the role of the Consulate in these Islands and what are we doing to truly address border control and the rising cost of detention and repatriation of illegal immigrants.
Mr Speaker, our people need to know yes but also Mr Speaker, this country needs a plan, a plan on how we will interact and how we will work together where we can.
Civil Service – Mr Speaker I am certain the CS feel like me when we did not hear a stronger commitment to addressing the plight of the Civil Service. This time Mr Speaker there is only one new of the three Promises made last time. The Civil Service is again promised a Recognition and Incentive Plan. Last time it was promised a salary review, the reinstatement of the already promised 10% and mandatory training and Management studies training. This level of training has disappeared. Mr Speaker in the absence of a clearly defined Policy and Strategic Plan for the CS in the public domain, we are left to view from the outside and to watch decisions being made. Mr Speaker, there remains a trend to put in place expatriate heads in key strategic positions where we once had locals. And Mr Speaker before the someone from the other side jumps up and name the local heads and attempt to distract our attention from the real issues, I caution them to see the issue and hear the cry of the Civil Servants and remember their plight. Mr Speaker we have heard over and over from that side of the House the fact that there are senior government officials with more power than an elected government, Mr Speaker though we are the Opposition we will never stand by and see people elected by the people be denied the opportunity to represent its people. Mr Speaker, we on this side of the House appreciate the passion with which the Minister of Govt Support Services spoke raising concerns from where he sits. Mr Speaker we too have concerns on matters of the Civil Service and even when we are threatened with the Constitution and Code of Conduct, we will continue to raise those concerns on behalf of our hard working and under resourced civil servants. Mr Speaker I am not sure under this system whether Government is allowed to make policies for the Civil Service but I am sure that the Government still sets the policy of the day and civil servants are required to carry them out and not frustrate the Government’s Agenda. Mr Speaker, I expect the Government to take a greater lead on this issue. We were promised a salary review and training and in true Maury style, the Budget determined that was a lie. Mr Speaker, the Civil Service needs attention and a coming together of the leaders of this country to build a more efficient, effective and motivated Civil Service.
Diversification of economy – Mr Speaker I see no mention of fishing at all in this Throne Speech and I wish to remind the Government that there are many persons still in this country who relies on fishing for its livelihood. Hon Member from South Caicos, there is no mention of fishing and there is no statement with regards to what may be the greatest threat at this time to our fish stock – the practice of Longline fishing guised as a Study with no threshold as to when it becomes dangerous enough to have to stop the “study”. It is time for the Government to not continue to say it was inherited by the Interim Government but to review it for itself to see whether it is good for us.
We see no mention of a Tourism Conference and no mention of the Construction Industry as last time. Mr Speaker I must mention that though the Government in its last Throne Speech mention the Construction Industry, it sought to pass taxes that would have and could have stifled the rebounding of this Industry and they did so against the admonishing and warnings from the Opposition only to have to roll it back within weeks.
Education – Mr Speaker a lot has been said about Education more than anything else and whilst I applaud the Minister of Education for her efforts and Mr Speaker I note with excitement that this year has been termed the year of the Young Child but I say Mr Speaker, every year should be the year of the Young Child, it is their future we are preparing for. But Mr Speaker a lot of critical areas have been left undone in this area and I am certain that the Shadow Minister will address these areas.
I wish only to say that I see some flip flopping on certain issues and though I welcome the change I want to be clear. Mr Speaker the Government publicly made statements leading the country to believe that it would move away from the CXC Program and now I see an expansion of training under this area. Mr Speaker I am happy to see a mention of Sports but note that the Minister stated publicly that she is not a supporter of Sports Scholarships. Mr Speaker I remain unclear as to why we do not see the merit in awarding students scholarships based on their athletic abilities. Mr Speaker we remain concerned about the faulty Consultation and the manner it was done where there could not be a greater participation, the question of indiscipline and violence in schools; overcrowding; and the physical state of our schools and College. I note Mr Speaker we are aware that we are not going to be able to issue scholarships at the level that we use to so it ought to be our plan to move towards offering more Degree Courses at the college but there was no mention of the College in this regard or as its physical state or any School for this matter. When our students enter these Institutions and see the state of our Schools, it sends a message to them the importance that we place on education.
Juveniles – I note the mention of the juvenile facility and I am calling on the Government to while it sought out what it will do and where it will locate the Home, to ensure that our juveniles in Prison continue their education in Prison. This is critical for their future.
Youth – I note that the Cadet Program which was removed from the Budget under this Government is to be reinstated and I welcome that. In speaking to this during the Budget Address, I was told that a new model will be put in place and I wait to see this.
Legislative Agenda and Gender Affairs and Children – Mr Speaker we were promised a legislative agenda and to this date we are yet to see it and Mr Speaker my colleagues and I have questioned pending policies and legislation in effort to see the Plan of the Government.
We note the absence of a proper and promised legislative agenda and ask the Government to set before the people of this country, its Plans. In this year of the Young Child we expect to see the passage of already drafted legislation for women and family life.
Policing and Crime – Though internal security is not under a local Government, we expected to see mention of Policing and Public Safety. We note with concern, no mention of a commitment to safety and a review of Policing and Saftety. Mr Speaker I wait with great anticipation to see our Crime Stats, our detection rates and to see the Police response through its annual policing plan. Mr Speaker if we live this country and if we have our ears to the ground, Mr Speaker we can see and feel that our Police Force is in trouble and whilst the Police Force falls under the Governor, Mr Speaker we cannot forget that we are the peoples’ representatives. Mr Speaker the Police Force seems to be buckling under controversial leadership, there appears to be dissention in the ranks and many seem demotivated. Mr Speaker I speak to our Officers and I observe Mr Speaker and if something isn’t done soon, I believe to address the issues we know that exists, we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Mr Speaker, allegations of conspiracy, curry favouring (if that is a word), questionable systems and policy decisions, and yes Mr Speaker even incidences of racism ascaptured in public places in writing and cover ups. We need to address this Mr Speaker and the people of these Islands will hear more on this from the Opposition soon.
Mr Speaker the Government needs to pay greater attention to social issues and I mention the following for their consideration.
Our Prison numbers though steady and seeing a recent decrease sees the largest of its population under 25 yrs and coincidentally the age group above this has been identified as the bracket to see the largest increase in new cases of HIV/Aids. These groups are the future of these Islands, the contributors to our development and our social schemes. Mr Speaker there was no mention of the Juvenile Facility and Mr Speaker I simply say “duly noted”. Mr Speaker I caution the Government to not ignore the need to rehabilitate or at least try to rehabilitate all of our people who run afoul of the law. We are a country heavily dependent on tourism and reputation is everything. We need not look far to see when problems are ignored or not aggressively addressed how they take root to a point where it seems too big a problem to stamp out.
Mr Speaker mental health was not even mentioned and it ought to have been simply due to the fact that the times are so stressful and we need to create an awareness as to warning signs and how to work with those who are and who become challenged. Mr Speaker the Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Health and representative for GT South issued a release sometime ago during World Day marking Mental Health and I join him in calling on the Government to not ignore this area. Imagine in 2014, we house mental patients at the Prison and allow others to roam the street. We need to feel the Government on social issues.
Our elderly and special needs are still challenged with facilities, home care and home visits. Imagine we still do not seem to understand the importance of testing our children early to identify any learning disabilities and then to design programs to ensure that we get the most of a potential productive citizen.
Healthcare – Mr Speaker I will not speak to healthcare because I consider any Statements made by the Government as vin promises and not to be believed.
Loss of Property – Mr Speaker our people are challenged on every front and each week we open the Papers we see more and more homes being auctioned and whatever the reason Mr Speaker we need to address this. Mr Speaker I had hoped that the Government like other Governments around the region and the world would see this as a problem, not as the individual’s problem but as a national problem and will seek to see where and if it can help. Our people who are former TC Invest’s clients Mr Speaker continues to buckle under the pressure of TOLCO and it is becoming stressful to many and Mr Speaker I dread the possible reactions when people feel hopeless and destitute. As I did in the Budget Address I am calling on the Government to at least look into this and see what you can do and then to look at the root cause of how and why our people are in the positions they are in and seek to address them. Mr Speaker this is a serious issue.
Mr Speaker I will continue to look to the hills from whence cometh our help but I will also say that we have a part to play as God’s hands and feet on this earth.
I have erred and sometimes get frustrated putting my hope in man that man would serve our people as unto God. We all have short comings and we are all flawed and we will be foolhearty to think that we can accomplish anything with God’s help and even foolheartier (if that is a word) to not seek His guidance and follow His leading.
Mr Speaker we are the best little country in the world and we just need to work towards that title.
Mr Speaker I close as I have in all my statements since the beginning of this Year to all the residents of this country:
Demand and desire a National Plan, find your role, try to see the good and the opportunities to improve personally and nationally, shun the negative thoughts and actions, avoid selfish destructive behavior, read and learn as much as you can, volunteer and commit to the cause of rebuilding what can be the best little country.
Mr Speaker if we were to name this year, it would be the year of volunteerism – everyone has a role to play and I encourage us to make individual steps to make a national impact and to achieve our national goals .
Mr Speaker we all have a part to play and we must. Mr Speaker the Opposition has a part to play and we must perform our constitutional role of being a built in watchdog system providing oversight of the Government’s policies and actions. We cannot compromise our role as it is a critical function in a democracy. Mr Speaker you however will see a stronger and more participatory Opposition. We will not fail to take the lead on issues of national importance where we can.
Mr Speaker we remain confident in our Plans, our experiences and our understanding of the issues. Mr Speaker those who try to thwart our intents confuse our confidence for arrogance and our passion for anger and rudeness. Mr Speaker we remain passionate in our pursuit for a better Turks and Caicos Islands and with God by our sides we all achieve the Turks and Caicos that we all desire where there is justice, freedom and equality for all. May God bless these Turks and Caicos Islands and may “The center of God’s will be our country’s home.”
