Imbert: JSC still planned

The Finance Minister was responding to queries from Newsday.

“That is what we intend to do,” Imbert said when asked of a Joint Select Committee was still planned. The Parliament adjourned on Wednesday sine die (adjourned with no appointed date for resumption), in a sign that no further sittings are planned before the session expires on September 22. However, it remains open to the Government to convene a sitting at any time, whether before or after September 22.

Had the matter been referred to a committee, that committee’s life would have expired with the session on September 22. Though it is open to the Government to preserve the life of any committee, that too requires a motion in the Parliament.

Still, Wednesday’s adjournment of the debate on the Tax Information Exchange Agreement Bill 2016 without a specific motion to refer the legislation to a committee triggered complaints from the Opposition.

“The Government on Wednesday left Trinidad and Tobago bewildered and acted in bad faith on the Tax Information Exchange Agreement Bill 2016 as it closed the session of Parliament without honouring a public commitment,” stated Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

“When next would the Parliament sit? I wish to express my deep concern over the disturbing developments, the absence of probity by the Government and its lack of good faith in discussions with the Opposition and in informing the national community.” But in a statement issued through his Ministry, Imbert said the entire situation was due to the previous administration.

“It is to be noted that the former PP Government started its term in 2010 with 29 votes and ended its term with 27 votes,” Imbert said. “At any time over the period June 2010 when the Parliament commenced under the PP Government to June 2015, when the Parliament was dissolved, prior to the last general election, therefore, the former administration could have passed the FATCA legislation on its own, but chose not to do so, leading to the present situation.” On Monday, Imbert said the Government agreed to a JSC but on condition that it not be a rushed job and would, as such, seek an extension from US authorities which he expected to be granted. On Tuesday, Imbert said, “I will have to wait until the Budget debate is over in October and then at some subsequent session of the House establish the Joint Select Committee. So it will be after that.” Asked yesterday if a formal request for an extension had been lodged, Imbert said that matter was, “in process”.