Senate approves Regulator

Some 16 Government Senators voted “for” (plus Independent Senator Paul Richards), six Opposition Senators voted “against”, while seven Independent Senators abstained .

Earlier, Finance Minister Colm Imbert sought to address concerns in his wrap up speech before the vote was taken .

Refuting claims of undue influence by his ministry on recruitment of a Procurement Regulator, he said the Procurement Act states that the President of the Republic appoints the post holder, after consulting the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader .

“We have pegged the regulator’s salary at $50,000, so it is more or less the same as the salary of a High Court judge.” The Senate resumes on Monday at 1.30 pm .