No Confidence Motion on Wednesday

Details

Politics

Tuesday, 29 May 2012 10:36

By press release

Antigua St John's - When the House of Representatives reconvenes on Wednesday, the Opposition is expected to move its highly anticipated vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

A release from the government yesterday outlined the items down for debate, then noted, "In addition, the Opposition within the House of Representatives will make what many political watchers deem will be another failed attempt to gain power, which it was unable to do via two general elections, by moving a vote of 'No Confidence' in the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda."

It added, "Political watchers have remarked that the exercise will be one in futility, as the Opposition will only be rehashing issues that have been refuted by the government of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer."

This motion is among seven new bills down for introduction.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer will introduce the First Reading of the Immigration and Passport Act, 2012 and the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2012.

In addition, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Justin Simon QC will introduce the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code Amendment Act, 2012.

The First Reading of the Tax Administration and Procedure Act, the Embarkation Tax (Repeal) Act,, and the Passenger Facility Charge (Repeal) Act, 2012 will be introduced by Finance, Economy and Public Administration Minister Harold Lovell.

Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Minister John Maginley will introduce the First Reading of the Airport Authority (Amendment) Act, 2012.

The House will also hear the presentation of and debate the Office of the National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (Amendment) Act, the Airport Administration Charge Act, the Embarkation Tax (Repeal) Act, the Passenger Facility Charge (Repeal) Act, the Airport Authority (Amendment) Act and the Dog Registration (Amendment) Act, 2012; which will all have their second and third readings.

The Airport Administration Charge Act, 2012, to be introduced by Finance and Economy Minister Harold Lovell seeks to provide for the direct administration of airport charges through the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority in replacement of two previously existing taxes; the Passenger Facility Charge and the Embarkation Tax, currently administered by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and the Comptroller of Customs.

The creation of a single unitary charge which is directly administered by the Airport Authority, in conjunction with the pre-existing relationship with IATA, allows for a more cost effective collection process and also by placing the charge directly on the ticketing process reduces the imposition on the passenger of an additional stage in their departure from Antigua & Barbuda, particularly at a time when funds may already have been exhausted.



This bill also ensures that the Authority is in a position to effectively manage its funding and negate the need for subventions on an ad-hoc basis from central government.

The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (Amendment) Act, 2012 to be presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Baldwin Spencer will add to the specified offences and the proceeds of crime to the scope of the functions of the ONDCP to include the trafficking of persons and prevention, migrant smuggling and laws governing firearms.

The House of Representatives will convene at 9:30 am on Wednesday, May 30.

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