Dionne Rose, Parliamentary Reporter

Senators clashed in Parliament's Upper Chamber on Thursday, as the Opposition registered its continuing disagreement with legislation seeking to create a fund to administer funds covered by the Petrocaribe agreement with Venezuela.

The Petroleum (Amendment) Act, already passed in the House of Representatives despite Opposition concerns, also seeks to establish a Board to be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Fund.

On Thursday the Opposition argued that the bill did not allow for Parlia-mentary oversight of the fund.

Opposition Senator Dr. Christopher Tufton argued, the Government would be tempted to use proceeds from the fund to finance its election campaign due next year.

"Given the history of how governments have performed and, certainly this Government over the last decade and a half, (I wonder) whether or not these funds are not going to be viewed as a slush fund to achieve party political objectives," Dr. Tufton said.

'Flip flopping'

The Opposition senator's comments did not go down well with Govern-ment senators including Delano Franklyn who accused the Opposition of 'flip-flopping' and being "hypocritical" about the Petrocaribe agreement.

Senator Franklyn pointed to earlier this year, when he said the Opposition called for a national demonstration the day Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Caribbean Common Market Heads of Government visited the island for a signing ceremony.

"I am not for one moment suggesting that the demonstration was either against the President or against the Heads but it coincided," he said.

However Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Anthony Johnson on a point of order, interrupted Senator Franklyn and insisted that he withdraw the statements.

"You are seeking to get cheap publicity! The point of order is that the Minister is misleading the House and the member should withdraw that stupid statement - foolishness!" Senator Johnson exclaimed.

Senator Franklyn responded: "I will not withdraw any statement that I made. I said the demonstration coincided with the arrival of the President and I will not withdraw that statement."

Government Senator Professor Trevor Munroe said the Opposition's accusations were not credible, as the fund would be subjected to the scrutiny of the Auditor General who will be undertaking periodical audits.

The bill was eventually passed without amendment, but only after the Opposition called for a vote on clause six of the bill which was defeated by the Government's 10 votes to the Opposition's five.