CONTEMPT

Robinson-Regis’ scathing condemnation came after Finance Minister Colm Imbert did a sequel of his challenge to former People’s Partnership (PP) government to “come outside”, challenging the Opposition this time to, “come inside” and debate the Tax Information Exchange Bill 2016 which is critical to TT’s FATCA compliance with the United States.

Looking at the empty Opposition benches, as he concluded the debate, Imbert declared, “I appeal to them again...as I appealed in the past..I appeal to the Members opposite again...come downstairs...

come inside!” Government MPs pounded their desks as Imbert continued, “Come inside!...Why are you outside?..They should come inside...This is the people’s House..

Don’t be cowards...What are you hiding for?...Come inside!” In 2015, when the then Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) walked out of debate on a no-confidence motion against then Opposition Leader (now Prime Minister) Dr Keith Rowley, Imbert challenged the PP to “come outside”, and say what they had to say.

The Government yesterday approved several amendments to the bill in the committee stage but did not take the vote on the bill, which requires a three-fifth’s majority, for passage. The House was adjourned to January 6, at 1.30 pm, to complete deliberations on the bill.

Prior to the adjournment, Robinson- Regis declared it was unacceptable for the Opposition for the third time, “ to absent itself from this very important piece of legislation.” She continued, “Our Parliament is here to ensure the conduct of law and order...degradations for the proper organisation of our country.” As Government MPs thumped their desks, Robinson-Regis quipped, “It is indeed passing strange that on three occasions (September 23, December 9 and yesterday)...those in opposition to us have determined they should not participate in this debate.” She reminded Government MPs that when Opposition MPs walked out last Friday, “they indicated they were doing so in solidarity” with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Naparima MP Rodney Charles when they (Persad-Bissessar and Charles) openly challenged Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George’s decision to deny Persad-Bissessar’s request to to adjourn the House to discuss what Persad- Bissessar described as Government’s failure to address an unprecedented number of murders and missing persons in TT.

Saying Persad-Bissessar and Charles displayed “gross disorder and misconduct” last Friday, Robinson- Regis asked Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde, “What is their reason for not being here today?” She found it interesting the Opposition did not want to discuss legislation that would facilitate the exchange of tax information. Robinson-Regis warned that if the bill is not passed, “it can lead to the collapse of the entire banking system in TT.” She continued that even if the Opposition did not want to speak to the Government in Parliament, “why are they not speaking to the Bankers Association?” On the Opposition’s claim of supporting the bill in a joint select committee (JSC), Robinson-Regis said the Government was discussing the bill in committee stage in the House because, “this exercise allows all members...whether on the Government’s side or the Opposition’s side to say clause by clause...what is the concern they have for the bill.” In his contribution, Imbert said Persad-Bissessar was inaccurate to allege that FATCA was not important and only dealt with big business.

He said he was amazed that Persad-Bissessar pretended not to know that FATCA affects, “all 1.3 million souls” in the country if the legislation was not passed.

Reiterating the timelines for passing the bill, the efforts he made to get extensions after the PP missed two FATCA deadlines, Imbert said the country dodged the bullet twice and would be pushing its luck if it tempted fate a third time.

Speaking to reporters after the House’s adjournment, Imbert said, “We (Government) have listened to what they (Opposition) have to say and amended the bill to suit their concerns.” He added, “We did it in the public so everyone could understand what we are about and we will also be informing the public about exactly what we’ve done today.” Imbert stressed, “The business of the Parliament...the business of the country must go on.” Dismissing Persad-Bissessar’s demand for evidence that the economy would collapse if TT is not FATCA compliant, Imbert said, “I think that’s really irresponsible.”