The first plenary sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly following the January 12th elections was held on Thursday.
The sitting, which lasted just over one hour, saw several motions brought before the Assembly, including proposals for amendments to existing Standing Orders and the introduction of new ones.
Councillor Petal Ann Roberts brought a motion calling for the amendment of Standing Order 79 by inserting a new subsection (3). She said the change is necessary to ensure the uninterrupted functioning, independence, and effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committee in the absence of a Minority Leader.
“In the event that there exists no Minority Leader in the House, the Chief Secretary shall appoint a Member that is not an Executive Council Member to be the Chairperson thereof.”
Assembly Member Darren Henry spoke to proposed changes to Standing Order 17 (12) (1), reflecting an increase in the quorum of the House.
“By deleting the word ‘nine’ and substituting the word ‘twelve,’ so that the provision shall read as follows: “17 (12) (1) By virtue of Section 68 of the Tobago House of Assembly Act, 1996, the quorum of the Assembly and of the Committee of the whole Assembly shall consist of twelve Members, including the Member in the Chair when not the Presiding Officer.”
In keeping with the THA’s promise of maintaining democracy in the absence of a Minority Leader, Councillor Adanna Joseph Wallace and Assembly Member Keigon Denoon brought motions to introduce new Standing Orders. These include the establishment of an online platform to allow members of the public to submit proposals for motions to be debated, as well as questions to Secretaries.
“(a) The conduct of hybrid and virtual sittings of the Assembly; (b) the digital participation of Members who are unable to be physically present at a sitting; (c) the recognition, verification, and official recording of Members participating virtually; (d) the procedure of voting, debate, and quorum in hybrid or virtual sittings.”
Another Standing Order will also be amended to mandate that sittings be broadcast on television, radio, and the internet, while allowing for Non-Governmental Organisations to have representation in the Assembly’s work.