Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness, has referred Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s bill regarding Crown Land reform to the Office of the Attorney General.
The move follows what Holness called a clear lack of faith on the part of Golding in the parliament’s own counsel.
It follows suggestions just a day ago by Golding that the speaker went above her authority in what he describes as attempts to block the bill.
Colliecia Wright tells us more.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness, used the opening of Tuesday’s sitting of the Lower House to make a statement on the Crown Land reform bill proposed by Golding.
She says the bill, that has yet to be tabled as a result of what she describes as constitutional concerns, will be referred to the Attorney General.
The Bill, entitled the Crown Lands Reform Act 2026, seeks to reduce the adverse possession timeframe from 60 years to 25 years, subject to a fair legal process.
The House Speaker, says she will decide on next steps once the review of the Attorney General is complete.
However, the Opposition benches took umbrage when Mrs. Holness decided not to give Golding the right to reply to her opening statement.
He rose on a point of order, which Mrs. Holness later rejected.
This caused Leader of Opposition Business in the Lower House, Phillip Paulwell, to similarly rise on a standing order.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Holness defended her decision not to allow Golding in response to her statement.
She says the standing orders do not allow for his input at that time, reasoning public business is a more appropriate agenda item.
Juliet Holness, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
