THE BIG QUESTION: MPs and financial declarations

What do you think should be done to ensure members of Parliament file their financial declarations on time?

Leave your answers in the comments section below . . .

Comments

Publius says...

Does the public really need to be asked what should be done when a law is not followed? Appropriately amend the Act to give it actual teeth and then do what The Bahamas seems morbidly averse to - enforce the law on the books without fear or favor.

Posted 25 April 2016, 8:52 p.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

Do what the law says...fine them and/or give them jail time...it's really quite simple. But Bahamians are daft in that respect, so as always, nothing will ever be done and we will further entrench ourselves in lawlessness.

Posted 26 April 2016, 7:43 a.m. Suggest removal

Required says...

The law has no teeth, and if politicians want to protect themselves and their buddies, nothing will change. These politicians will not amend the law. The likelihood of this happening if the colour of the party in power changes, is minimal. They had their chance, and blew it. (And yes, that goes for former FNM-member Branville McC. and former PLP-member Greg M., too.)

The challenge should be, let no Bahamian voter mark their X next year for a candidate, government or opposition, who has ever, during their political career, been in violation of the disclosure requirements. Regardless of their newest set of promises.

Posted 26 April 2016, 8:45 a.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

I would like to see the names of the 55 passport holding Bahamians on the Panama List.
I suspect there are good reasons why these politicians don't want to disclose. 500 million in VAT money went somewhere.

Posted 26 April 2016, 9:31 a.m. Suggest removal

Sickened says...

Each member should get one lash for every dollar he hasn't disclosed.

Posted 26 April 2016, 11:20 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Simple ........... if an MP/Senator etc does not disclose his/her assets & liabilities by March of each year:

1. He should be warned publicly (by official letter) and given THIRTY DAYS to comply and fined.
2. Failure to COMPLY, he should be suspended from Parliament without pay for the next THIRTY DAYS
3. Failure to comply with #2, he should be suspended for a further THIRTY DAYS and his seat vacated forthwith once the time period elapses.

This is a serious matter that should set the tone for how our leaders should ACT

Posted 26 April 2016, 11:46 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

The financial information is for the calendar year (Jan-Dec) ...... what is their excuse for not complying by March??????

Posted 26 April 2016, 12:03 p.m. Suggest removal

Publius says...

The Act gives one until March if he or she requests an extension of time ahead of the December deadline.

Posted 26 April 2016, 12:08 p.m. Suggest removal

Alltoomuch says...

and I see that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is travelling - again!! And this country has NO money!!

Posted 26 April 2016, 1:59 p.m. Suggest removal

Wideawake says...

No Financial Declaration? OK No Pay!!

Posted 26 April 2016, 6:16 p.m. Suggest removal

Tarzan says...

There is only one solution that will work in a democracy. Elect a government that will uphold the rule of law. In the final analysis, in a democracy you get the government you deserve. Of what benefit will be new laws compelling disclosure, when a lawless government is elected to office? The police and the AG will not enforce those laws any more than will the police and/or the AG enforce the laws on the books now. If the Courts attempt to intervene this government has made it quite clear, it is even willing to hold the independent judiciary in contempt. This leadership of this government has demonstrated through several election cycles, that any law will be ignored if doing so is in its political or economic self interest. Welcome to just deserts Bahamas!

Posted 27 April 2016, 9:45 a.m. Suggest removal

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