Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer

( L - R ) Smith, Phillips

The new Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration will be going all out to enact as many of the laws as possible it promised to introduce in its election manifesto before the current legislative year ends on March 31.

In confirming this, Derrick Smith, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, told The Gleaner that there were 11 bills which had been selected "to be brought to Parliament before the end of this legislative year".

Among these are the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Constitutional Amendment) Act, Special Prosecutor Act and the Independent Investigative Commission to Investigate Security Forces Excesses and Abuses Act.

There is also the Bank of Jamaica (Amendment) Act, to make the central bank independent, as well as the National Independent Investigative Authority Bill, to provide for investigation into acts of corruption and abuse of authority by public officials.

Amendments for consideration

There are several constitutional amendments to be brought to Parliament in fulfilment of JLP manifesto promises. One is to provide for a limit of two consecutive terms for a prime minister, another is the removal of power from the prime minister to call elections, and the third will establish a fixed election date.

Preliminary work is also proceeding apace, Mr. Smith said, with a view to drafting the promised 'Whistle Blower' legislation to protect individuals who report corrupt practices and activities, as well as the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill to designate Portmore as the country's 15th parish.

Legislation to be tabled

Overall, Mr. Smith disclosed that there were 121 pieces of legislation (many inherited from the last administration) at various stages of preparation for tabling in Parliament. Since the new government took office, 17 have been presented to Cabinet, three have been tabled, two are before Legislative Committee and drafting instructions have been issued for another seven.

He said 349 bills had been passed by Parliament over the last 12 legislative years, at an average of 29 per year. In 2002/2003 41 bills were enacted, making it the busiest year for the legislature over the past 12 years. So far this year, only five bills have made it all the way through both houses of Parliament.

Given the extent of the backlog, Mr. Smith is serving notice that the Lower House might be asked to increase its sittings from one to two per week to accomplish its goals and exceed the average set by the last administration.

Dr. Peter Phillips, leader of Opposition Business in the House, is, however, not pleased with the pace set so far by the new government, arguing that the Bruce Golding administration has spent most of the available parliamentary time for policy announcements at the expense of legislative business.

"To some extent this is understandable but I am disappointed that they have not indicated clearly to the Parliament what their legislative agenda is and the timetable," he argued.

Furthermore, he said, the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) was anxious to see some items it had left on the legislative agenda being given priority treatment. He cited the Port Security Act and the Corruption Prevention Act as two such.