Senate to debate Finance Bill

On November 15, there was confusion in the Senate when Leader of Government Business Franklin Khan indicated that Government was not proceeding with debate on this bill because of legal advice it received from the Treasury Solicitor.

Quoting part of the Treasury Solicitor’s opinion, Khan said, “In the interim, I am of the view that the Provisional Collection of Taxes Order 2016, continues in operation and will continue in operation until Finance Bill Number Three and the relevant orders 2016, completes its full passage in the Parliament and the Act is assented to by the President.

This process must be completed within a four-month timeframe, beginning October 20, 2016 and ending on February 19, 2017.” Quoting further from the opinion, Khan said, “I (Treasury Solicitor) am of the view, that it is permissible for the State to collect and continue to collect online purchase taxes and the rest (of taxes).

At the time, Opposition Senator Wade Mark charged that Government was imposing taxes illegally on the population and hinted the Opposition may challenge the matter legally. At a news conference on November 16, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the taxes outlined in the 2016/2017 Budget are all “perfectly legal