Parliament resumes Sept 8

The sitting will mark the start of a hectic parliamentary calender.

Government officials have already earmarked several legislative matters for attention.

Among them is the expected tabling of legislation to abolish child marriage. The Ministry of the Attorney General has completed a series of consultation exercises in relation to the State’s proposal to raise the marriageable age to 18.

The last event was held in July at the Magdalena Grand Resort, Tobago.

A meeting with religious bodies and submissions from religious groups have also been entertained.

On July 22, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said the child marriage legislation was due to be tabled in September.

Other matters to be tabled include reforms in relation to: financial and tax cooperation with the US; criminal justice reforms relating to bail; and possibly anti-terrorism measures.

“The month of September will see significant amount of work in the Parliament,” the San Fernando West MP said.