MR. SPEAKER, I BEGIN BY GIVING THANKS, GLORY AND PRAISE TO ALMIGHTY GOD, THE CAPTAIN OF MY LIFE.
THANKS TO THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE, FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE SERVING YOU AND WATCHING OVER YOUR INTERESTS AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT. YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILES AND WARM EMBRACES CONTINUE TO DELIGHT AND ENCOURAGE ME.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR JAMAICAN CHILDREN WHO ARE ALL PART OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY.  YOU ARE SPECIAL TO ME.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW SPEAKER, WHO IS PRESIDING OVER A BUDGET DEBATE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AND TO THE PRIME MINISTER, WHOSE PRESENTATION WILL ALSO CONSTITUTE A “FIRST”.
LET ME COMMEND THE DEPUTY SPEAKER WHO HAS ASSISTED IN ABLY GUIDING THE AFFAIRS OF THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE.

THERE WERE ONLY NINE OF US THEN - NINE VALIANT SOULS - WHO BRAVED THE SLINGS AND ARROWS OF THE LARGE PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY. TODAY OUR NUMBERS ARE MORE SUBSTANTIAL.
THERE ARE 28 (TWENTY-EIGHT) OF US NOW, THE LARGEST OPPOSITION EVER, EXERCISING THE FULL AUTHORITY OF THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE TO WATCH OVER AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.
AFTER THE ELECTIONS, I MADE IT CLEAR THAT I WOULD BE WATCHING THE NEW GOVERNMENT ON THE PEOPLE'S BEHALF AND OVER THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN DEEP INTROSPECTION AND REFLECTION.
I WANTED CLARITY ON HOW, AS A PARTY, WE ARRIVED AT THIS POINT AND I WANTED TO APPRECIATE THE TEMPORARY ROLE THAT HISTORY HAS ASSIGNED US.
IT HAS BEEN A PERIOD OF CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT AND REDEFINITION.
I HAVE USED IT TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE REALITY OF CERTAIN CONSTRAINTS THAT PREVENTED ME FROM DOING SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE PEOPLE EXPECTED ME TO DO - THE VERY THINGS I HAD THE GREATEST PASSION FOR AND WANTED TO ACHIEVE.

I AM EVEN MORE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THIS MISSION.
MR. SPEAKER, I WANT IT TO BE KNOWN THAT I HAVE SPENT QUALITY TIME ON UNDERSTANDING, APPRECIATING AND DEFINING MY NEW ROLE AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, AS WELL AS THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL PARTY IN OPPOSITION.
TODAY, AS I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PARTICIPATING IN YET ANOTHER BUDGET DEBATE, I AM CONSCIOUS OF THE DRAMATIC CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND ARE TAKING PLACE HERE IN JAMAICA AND IN THE WORLD AROUND US: - ECONOMIC CHANGE,
CLIMATE CHANGE, POLITICAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
IN THE LAST TWENTY-FIVE MONTHS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED LANDMARK DEVELOPMENTS.
OUR DEMOCRACY HAS WITHSTOOD THE CHALLENGES OF A CLOSELY CONTESTED ELECTION THAT RESULTED IN A VERY NARROW MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR THE WINNING PARTY.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PECULIAR WEATHER PATTERNS WITH HURRICANES CHANGING THEIR MINDS AND WATERS RISING TO CAUSE DESTRUCTION.
THANK GOD WE HAVE SURVIVED. AND STILL THE CHANGES CONTINUE - NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE.
AS I SPEAK TODAY, THE REVOLUTION IN JAMAICA'S APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE, WHICH BEGUN UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, CONTINUES.
AT THE SAME TIME, PRICES ARE CHANGING. THEY ARE INCREASING AT A RAPID RATE.
THESE ARE SERIOUS TIMES. WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO STRETCH OURSELVES, DISCOVER NEW STRENGTHS AND EXPAND OUR CONSCIOUSNESS.
NO ONE CAN UNDO THE MODERN ROADWAYS, THE WORLD CLASS AIRPORTS, THE SPECTACULAR ADVANCES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS, THE HEALTH CARE GAINS AND THE TRANSPORTATION CENTRES - THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT HAVE CHANGED PEOPLE'S LIVES.

A SOUND FOUNDATION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR OUR CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT, WITH HOPE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF OUR COUNTRY.
WE CANNOT IGNORE THE SPOKEN AND UNSPOKEN URGENT DEMAND OF THE PEOPLE FOR NEW APPROACHES THAT WILL SLAY THE DRAGONS OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE,
NEMPLOYMENT, SERIOUS ECONOMIC PRESSURE AND EROSION OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.
THIS IS WHY I AM STATING WITH DETERMINATION AND A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, THAT I WILL SPEAK FOR THE MAN WHO OWNS AND DRIVES A TRUCK FOR HIS LIVELIHOOD, CARRYING FOOD FROM ST. ELIZABETH, OR ON THE WAY TO A MARKET IN KINGSTON AND WONDERING HOW HE IS GOING TO FIND THE MONEY TO PAY FOR HIS CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE FOR THE YEAR.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR HIM.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE YOUNG TEACHER, A SINGLE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD WHO IS WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE INTEREST RATE ON HER NHT MORTGAGE GOING UP.
SHE IS WONDERING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO HER ELDERLY MOTHER, HER CHILD, HER TWO SISTERS GOING TO SCHOOL AND HER DISABLED UNCLE WHO LIVE IN THE HOUSE, IF SHE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO MEET HER PAYMENTS. I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR HER.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THAT PENSIONER WHO IS, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, LEAVING THE CASHIER IN A SUPERMARKET TO GO AND PUT BACK A BAR OF SOAP, TWO TINS OF SARDINES AND A LOAF OF BREAD, BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT REALIZED THAT THE PRICES HAD GONE UP BY SO MUCH.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR HER.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THAT LAWYER, WHO IS WONDERING WHAT JAMAICA IS COMING TO, WHEN THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MEMBERS, FOUR OF WHOM ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE HIGH NATIONAL HONOUR - ORDER OF JAMAICA, COULD BE TREATED SO DISHONOURABLY!

I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR HIM.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE CHILDREN WITH THE LIGHT IN THEIR EYES GROWING DIM AS THEY GO THROUGH THE FRUSTRATION OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S WRONG. WHAT'S WRONG WITH MOMMY? WHAT'S WRONG WITH DADDY, THEY ASK. WHY ARE THEY SO CROSS?'. I KNOW THEY STILL LOVE ME SOMETHING IS WRONG.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THEM.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS MAN AND WOMAN NOW FACING GREAT EMBARRASSMENT AND THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF LOSING THEIR HOMES.
THEY ARE ALSO FACING THE CHALLENGES OF MEETING CAR PAYMENTS, MAINTENANCE FEES, TELEPHONE, WATER AND ELECTRICITY BILLS. I AM HERE FOR THEM.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR ANYONE WHO IS HUNGRY TODAY, CANNOT GET A JOB TODAY, OR WAS PUSHED OUT OF A JOB BECAUSE SOMEBODY DID NOT LIKE THEIR ADDRESS OR THEIR POLITICS.

AS THE LEADER OF THE PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION, IN THIS NEW SEASON, I AM HERE TO RESPOND WITH A RESOUNDING ‘YES' TO THE CALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHOSE INTERESTS NEED TO BE PROTECTED AND WHOSE CAUSE NEEDS TO BE ADVANCED.
REDEFINING THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPPOSITION
MR. SPEAKER, TURNING TO THE ROLE OF A RESPONSIBLE OPPOSITION, I DO NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO RESURRECT THE PAST, BUT HISTORY IS IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY TO ESTABLISH FACTS BUT TO CREATE CONTEXT.
MR. SPEAKER, BETWEEN 1962 AND 2007, OPPOSITION MEMBERS TENDED TO SEE THEMSELVES RELEGATED ONLY TO CRITICIZE AND OPPOSE, EVEN WITHOUT REASONABLE CAUSE.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING OUR RELATIVE SILENCE OVER THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, AND THIS AMONG OTHER THINGS, HAS BEEN OCCUPYING MY MIND.

SOME PERSONS HAVE EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THE OPPOSITION SHOULD BE OPPOSING, OPPOSING AND OPPOSING EVERYTHING,
BUT I DO NOT SEE OPPOSING FOR THE SAKE OF OPPOSING AS BEING A RESPONSIBLE OR A VIABLE WAY FORWARD.
OUR CONDUCT AS OPPOSITION WILL BE BASED ON TWO PRINCIPLES, COOPERATION AND COMPETITION.
AS LONG AS A POLICY, A PROGRAMME OR AN ACTION, SERVES THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE, WE WILL SINCERELY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT .
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ANY TIME THE PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSES A WISH FOR GENUINE DIALOGUE.
IN KEEPING WITH OUR FIRST COMMITMENT, WHICH IS TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA, WE WILL COOPERATE, EVEN AS WE COMPETE FOR THEIR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.

WE WILL COMPETE, FROM THE POSITION OF BEING THE ALTERNATIVE, ENDEAVOURING IN EVERY CASE TO FIND BETTER SOLUTIONS AND BETTER OPTIONS.
GOVERNANCE
MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, AS OPPOSITION, WE HAVE NOT RELAXED OUR VIGILANCE AND WILL NEVER DO SO.
AS I PROMISED, WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING ON THE PEOPLE'S BEHALF.
FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE MAINTAINED A POSTURE OF SILENT OBSERVATION, ALLOWING FAIR TIME FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH ITSELF.
IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HONOUR THE NATION'S NEED FOR TIME TO OBSERVE AND ADJUST. THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA REQUIRED NO LESS FROM US AND DESERVE NO LESS.
HOWEVER, MR. SPEAKER, I WISH TO SERVE NOTICE THAT THE PERIOD OF SILENT OBSERVATION IS OVER. THE HONEYMOON IS COMING TO AN END.

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE SEEN SOME WORRYING TRENDS THAT THREATEN THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF OUR DEMOCRATIC STATE.
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE LEVEL OF BLATANT POLITICAL INTERFERENCE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE WITH REGARDS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT AND THE NATIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IS UNPRECEDENTED.
THIS LEADS ME TO THE PRESENT SITUATION FACING THE COUNTRY AND THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT'S POLICY AND ACTIONS ON CITIZENS, UP TO THIS POINT.
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF OUR CITIZENS
MR. SPEAKER, I BEGIN WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE OF THE RIGHTS OF OUR PEOPLE.
THE JAMAICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF PROFESSOR BARRY CHEVANNES, PRESENTED ITS REPORT IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR.

WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE INCREASED ALLOCATION TO ADDRESS SOME OF ITS WIDE RANGING RECOMMENDATIONS.
THEY ARE AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE NATION'S SECURITY, ENHANCING THE PROTECTION OF CITIZENS' RIGHTS AND ENSURING THAT OUR JUDICIARY CONTINUES TO ENJOY THEIR WELL DESERVED REPUTATION FOR INDEPENDENCE, COMPETENCE, COMMITMENT AND INTEGRITY.
WE REJECT ANY SUGGESTION OF CORRUPTION IN THE JUDICIARY. I HOPE THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE CAN NOW UNITE IN DEFENDING THE REPUTATION OF OUR JUDGES AND RESIST CASTING UNDESERVED ASPERSIONS ON THEIR INTEGRITY.
MR. SPEAKER, WE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESSURE THAT IS BEING PUT ON THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS.
THE REPUTATION FOR COMPETENCE, QUALITY AND IMPARTIALITY THAT THAT OFFICE HAS ALWAYS ENJOYED, NOW APPEARS TO BE UNDER THREAT.

THIS IS A MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN BECAUSE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS UPHELD BY ALL CITIZENS AND IN PARTICULAR, MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT, THE INDIVIDUAL FUNCTIONARIES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS A POLITICAL APPOINTEE WHO IS RECOMMENDED BY THE PRIME MINISTER FOR APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL.
IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT HER FUNCTIONS, SHE IS PROVIDED WITH A STAFF OF WELL-QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS, HEADED BY THE SOLICITOR GENERAL.
AS CIVIL SERVANTS, THEIR APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTION AND DISCIPLINE ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND NOT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE PRIME MINISTER OR THE CABINET.
THEY MUST BE FREE TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES WITHOUT ANY KIND OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE.

THERE NOW APPEARS TO BE A MOST UNWELCOME DEPARTURE FROM THIS TIME-HONOURED PRINCIPLE.
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE ISSUE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL TO REPLACE MR. MICHAEL HYLTON QC.
THE NEXT STEP WAS THE SUMMARY DISMISSAL OF THE EMINENT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY INTERFERENCE IN THE RELATIVELY ROUTINE APPOINTMENT OF AN ACTING DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL.
FROM THE OUTSET, WE WARNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.
WE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE STRONGLY OBJECTED TO THE WAY THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE MEMBERS, WHO HAVE SINCE BEEN DISMISSED, WERE TREATED.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, THESE DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS HAVE LED TO ACTUAL AND THREATENED RESIGNATIONS WITHIN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS.

WE CANNOT SIT BY AND ALLOW THE CONTINUED FLOUTING BOTH OF THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION IN THE VERY DEPARTMENT WHICH IS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION.
SOON, MR. SPEAKER, IF NOT HALTED, THIS INFECTION WILL SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE AND ROB IT OF ITS MUCH-PRIZED INDEPENDENCE AND INSULATION FROM POLITICAL MANIPULATION AND INTERFERENCE.
IT IS REPORTED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HAS INITIATED A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION. WE ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THAT REVIEW.
BUT LET ME ISSUE A WORD OF CAUTION; THE OPPOSITION WILL NOT ACCEPT OR RESPECT ANY FINDING THAT EITHER EVADES OR OBSCURES ANY UNLAWFUL DEPARTURE FROM BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES.

MR. SPEAKER, DESPITE PAST EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONSTITUTION, THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF INDIFFERENCE TO THE CONTENTS OF THIS FUNDAMENTAL INSTRUMENT, WHICH REPRESENTS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND.
MANY PERSONS WHO CRY FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE DO NOT REALIZE THAT IT ALL STARTS WITH OUR CONSTITUTION, WHICH GUARANTEES THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF ALL OUR CITIZENS.
I SHUDDER TO THINK HOW THE FRAMERS OF THIS DOCUMENT WHO ARE STILL WITH US TODAY - THE MOST HON. EDWARD SEAGA AND THE HONOURABLE DAVID COORE QC , MUST BE FEELING, AS THEY OBSERVE THE RECENT ATTEMPTS TO DISHONOUR OUR CONSTITUTION.
THIS LEADS ME NOW TO STATE MY POSITION AND THE POSITION OF MY PARTY, WITH REGARD TO THE EFFECT OF THE DECISION HANDED DOWN BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE CONCERNING THE CONSTITUENCY OF WESTERN PORTLAND.

MR. SPEAKER, LET ME REMIND EVERYONE OF THE OATH THAT WE TOOK AS PARLIAMENTARIANS.
I ................................ DO SWEAR THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO JAMAICA,
THAT I WILL UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF JAMAICA, AND THAT I WILL CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE MY RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA, SO HELP ME GOD.
THAT OBLIGATION BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPERATIVE IN RELATION TO THE COMPOSITION OF THIS PARLIAMENT. IF WE WHO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE REFUSE TO HONOUR THE CONSTITUTION, WHAT'S THE POINT?
THE SITUATION CREATED BY THE LEGAL DECISION OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS NOT OF OUR MAKING. ALL CANDIDATES AND THEIR POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A DUTY TO ENSURE THAT ANY PERSON NOMINATED FOR ELECTION TO PARLIAMENT IS DULY QUALIFIED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT LAW.

IT IS THEREFORE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO SOLVE WHATEVER PROBLEMS THAT ARE CREATED BY THE FAILURE OF THEIR CANDIDATES AND THEIR PARTY TO ENSURE THAT THIS TAKES PLACE.
THE OPPOSITION STANDS READY TO RESPOND IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER INCLUSIVE OF DIALOGUE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED.
CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC LIFE
LET ME NOW TURN TO AN ISSUE OF DEEP PUBLIC CONCERN - CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC LIFE. I FEEL OBLIGED AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION TO MAKE MY OWN, AS WELL AS MY PARTY'S POSITION ON CORRUPTION VERY CLEAR.
WE ABHOR AND CONDEMN CORRUPTION.
WE WILL NEITHER SUPPORT NOR DEFEND ANY ACT OF CORRUPTION.
WE BELIEVE THAT ALL PERSONS ARE EQUAL UNDER THE LAW, REGARDLESS OF SOCIAL OR FINANCIAL STATUS, RACE, GENDER OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, AND SHOULD BE SO TREATED.

WE BELIEVE, WE ACCEPT AND WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLE "ALL ACCUSED PERSONS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY".
WE BELIEVE THAT THE COURTS OF LAW ARE THE ONLY INSTITUTIONS EMPOWERED BY THE CONSTITUTION TO DEAL WITH CRIMINAL CONDUCT AND TO DETERMINE INNOCENCE OR GUILT.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ALLEGATION, AN ACCUSATION AND A CONVICTION.
WHEN SOMEONE IS ACCUSED OF CRIMINAL CORRUPTION, IT IS A MATTER FOR THE POLICE AND THE COURT. THAT PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO PRESENT HIS OR HER CASE, AND OUR COURTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
MR. SPEAKER, TELL ME, WOULD IT BE FAIR FOR SOMEONE TO ASSUME YOU ARE GUILTY OF WRONG DOING WITHOUT GIVING YOU THE OPPORTUNITY OF PRESENTING YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY? I AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE FAIR.
MR SPEAKER, ANY PNP OFFICIAL OR REPRESENTATIVE FOUND GUILTY OF A CRIME WILL HAVE TO PAY THE PENALTY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS CRIMINAL CORRUPTION IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY. THAT IS FOR THE COURTS. HOWEVER, MR. SPEAKER, IN POLITICAL LIFE, INDEED IN PUBLIC LIFE, THERE IS THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH INCOMPETENCE, MISMANAGEMENT, FAULTY JUDGEMENT AMONG OTHER THINGS. TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, MR. SPEAKER, IT HAS TO DO WITH THE INABILITY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG.
THIS IS WHERE, AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL PARTY, OR PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA, I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.
I HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THIS RESPONSIBILITY IS CARRIED OUT WITH FAIRNESS. THIS OFTEN TAKES TIME. I TOOK A DECISION TO REMOVE A MINISTER WHO I THOUGHT ACTED INAPPROPRIATELY. I WILL DO IT AGAIN IF NECESSARY.

MR. SPEAKER, LET ME REMIND THIS HOUSE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN PRINCIPLES AND PROTOCOL WHICH HAVE TO BE ESTABLISHED WITH RESPECT TO ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHILE WE WERE IN GOVERNMENT, THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL PARTY ESTABLISHED THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION, THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT, THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND THE CONTRACTOR GENERAL AMONG OTHER INITIATIVES.
WITHIN OUR PARTY, WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS FORMALLY ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM TO PREVENT SOME OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE HAVE FACED REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION.
THIS MECHANISM WILL ENSURE THAT, WHETHER IN OPPOSITION OR IN GOVERNMENT, THE PRINCIPLES OF PROBITY WILL NOT BE BREACHED.
MR. SPEAKER PRINCIPLES ARE ETERNAL. BORN OUT OF SCIENTIFIC PROOF, EXPERIMENTATION AS WELL AS EXPERIENCE. THEY MAY BE PASSED ON FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.
ALONG THE WAY THEY MAY BE CHALLENGED, OPPOSED OR EVEN REPLACED; BUT ONCE THEY ARE IN FORCE, THEY REPRESENT CLEAR DIRECTIONS TO GUIDE ACTIONS.

WHEN ACTIONS ARE PRINCIPLE-BASED, THE PROTECTION OF PERSONALITIES BECOME UNNECESSARY. ACTIONS THAT UNDERMINE A SET OF PRINCIPLES OPEN THE DOOR FOR SANCTIONS TO BE APPLIED, REGARDLESS OF PERSONALITIES.
IN ORDER TO CONSISTENTLY APPLY PRINCIPLES, A SET OF PROTOCOLS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH SPECIFIC PRINCIPLE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AND ENSHRINED WITHIN ANY ORGANISATION.
THIS WILL REDUCE ANY SUSPICION OF VINDICTIVENESS OR UNFAIR ACTION BY ONE MEMBER AGAINST ANOTHER MEMBER OF AN ORGANISATION.
LET US LOOK AT SOME FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT CRIMINAL ACTS IN THE HANDLING OF PUBLIC FUNDS ARE A FORM OF CORRUPTION THAT MUST BE DETERRED AND PERPETRATORS PUNISHED ACCORDING TO LAW.
WE CAN AGREE THAT FAVOURITISM, POOR JUDGEMENT, NEGLIGENCE, MISMANAGEMENT OR A BREACH OF PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES MAY NOT IN THEMSELVES BE PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

THEY MUST, HOWEVER, BE CONDEMNED AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE MUST FACE THE APPROPRIATE CONSEQUENCES. THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL PARTY HAS ALWAYS ACCEPTED THESE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND SOUGHT TO LIVE UP TO THEM.
THE ECONOMY
MR. SPEAKER, I NOW TURN TO ECONOMIC ISSUES. MY CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BALANCE PEOPLE'S LIVES, EVEN AS WE SEEK TO BALANCE THE BOOKS.
IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT I TAKE ISSUE WITH SOME ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
FISCAL POLICY- OR GOVERNMENT'S INCOME AND EXPENDITURE POLICIES ARE CONTAINED IN THE BUDGET AND THE ALLOCATIONS MADE TO THE VARIOUS SECTORS ARE INDICATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES.
IT IS THEREFORE AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT WE CONTEND THAT THIS BUDGET PLACES MORE EMPHASIS ON BALANCING THE BOOKS, RATHER THAN PEOPLES' LIVES.

MY COMMENTS ON THE ECONOMY AND THE CURRENT SITUATIONS WITH WHICH WE ARE FACED ARE TO BE UNDERSTOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SPIRALLING INFLATION RATE THAT NOW STANDS NEAR 20% FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.
THE FIRST GOAL THAT HAS TO BE MET WHEN PRESENTING A BUDGET IS CREDIBILITY.
THE SECOND GOAL THAT MUST BE MET IS PRACTICALITY.
WE ARE CONTENDING THAT NIETHER OF THESE CRITERIA HAVE BEEN MET.
MR. SPEAKER THE CURRENT EXPENDITURE PACKAGE OF $489.5 BILLION IS 21.5 PER CENT ABOVE LAST YEAR'S LEVEL IN NOMINAL TERMS; BUT IT IS ONLY BUYING 1.5 PER CENT MORE, IF WE ADJUST IT FOR THE INFLATION RATE WHICH IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 20 PER CENT.
SIMPLY PUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY ALLOCATED 1.5% OR 7.3BILLION JAMAICAN DOLLARS MORE THAN WAS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF LAST YEAR FOR THE RUNNING OF THE COUNTRY.

WHEN COMPARED AGAINST THE CURRENT INFLATION RATE OF 20%, THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IN REAL TERMS IS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF WHAT WAS MADE AVAILABLE LAST YEAR.
MR. SPEAKER, THE RECURRENT OR HOUSE KEEPING BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDES PAYMENTS FOR WAGES AND SALARIES AND INTEREST CHARGES ON THE PUBLIC DEBT, AS WELL AS SPENDING ON PROGRAMMES RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES, HAS BEEN INCREASED BY $51.1 BILLION OR 20 PER CENT IN NOMINAL TERMS TO $304 BILLION THIS YEAR, FROM $252.9 BILLION LAST YEAR.
MEANWHILE, THE CAPITAL BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDES REAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT SPENDING AND PRINCIPAL REPAYMENTS, HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT $185 BILLION THIS YEAR, $35 BILLION OR 23 PER CENT MORE THAN THE REVISED AMOUNT OF $150 BILLION LAST YEAR.
THEREFORE, THE RECURRENT BUDGET IS BUYING THE SAME AMOUNT OF GOODS AND SERVICES WHEN COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR, AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION, WHILE THE CAPITAL BUDGET IS BUYING A MERE THREE PER CENT MORE.
MR. SPEAKER CLOSER EXAMINATION OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET ALSO INDICATE THE SAME TENDENCY TO BALANCE THE BOOKS AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.

APPROXIMATELY $30 BILLION OR 85 PER CENT OF THE $35 BILLION INCREASE IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO PRINCIPAL REPAYMENTS, WHILE THE OTHER $5 BILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO REAL CAPITAL SPENDING-THAT IS SPENDING ON THE COUNTRY'S ROADS, SCHOOLS, BRIDGES, COURT HOUSES AND OTHER BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE-WHICH IS NECESSARY TO GENERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT.
THIS YEAR'S CAPITAL BUDGET OF ABOUT $45 BILLION WILL THEREFORE BE FLAT WHEN COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR'S..
SURELY MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS WORRYING.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
MR. SPEAKER, THESE PALTRY SUMS CANNOT FINANCE THE MENU OF PROMISES AND COMMITMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THIS EXPOSES OUR PEOPLE TO SEVERAL RISKS THAT WILL DIMINISH THE QUALITY OF LIFE TO WHICH THEY HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED AND TO WHICH THEY STRIVE.

MR. SPEAKER, A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE KEY SOCIAL SECTORS SUCH AS HEALTH, EDUCATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY, ALSO INDICATE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT TO BALANCE THE BOOKS AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLES' LIVES.
THE TRUTH BE TOLD, MR. SPEAKER, ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS JUGGLED SOME NUMBERS.
NATIONAL SECURITY
CRIME AND VIOLENCE CONTINUE TO PLAGUE OUR LIVES. IT AFFECTS ALL OF US. YET ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT PROMISED THAT NATIONAL SECURITY WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN PRIORITY TREATMENT THIS YEAR THIS, IT IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE BUDGETARY ALLOCATION TO THIS VITAL SECTOR.
THE $37 BILLION ALLOCATED TO THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY THIS YEAR IS ONLY 20 PER CENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR. AGAIN WHEN WE ADJUST FOR INFLATION THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS ALLOCATED LAST YEAR AND WILL BUY THE SAME AMOUNT OF GOODS AND SERVICES AS LAST YEAR.

I AM CONCERNED MR. SPEAKER, THAT THIS ALLOCATION FOR FIGHTING CRIME, WILL NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESS THE SITUATION FACED BY CITIZENS IN ROSE TOWN, WALDERSTON, FLANKER OR JACKS HILL. INDEED ALL OVER JAMAICA.
EDUCATION:
LET US NOW TURN TO EDUCATION. MR. SPEAKER, LET ME REMIND YOU AND THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE THAT EDUCATION IS THE AVENUE FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY. THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS MINISTRY HAS BEEN INCREASED BY 9.3% IN NOMINAL TERMS, MOVING FROM 53.3 TO 58.3 BILLION DOLLARS. WITH THE TWENTY PERCENT RATE OF INFLATION, THIS ALLOCATION BUYS ELEVEN PERCENT LESS GOODS AND SERVICES THAN WAS POSSIBLE LAST YEAR. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FANTASY AND REALITY. THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRESENTED A FALLACY THAT THE ALLOCATION TO EDUCATION HAS INCREASED.
MR. SPEAKER, THESE INCONSISTENCIES RUN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BUDGET. IN REAL TERMS, THE BUDGET PROVIDES EITHER THE SAME PURCHASING POWER OR LESS THAN LAST YEAR.

TAXATION
MR. SPEAKER, THERE IS A SAYING "SHOW ME YOUR COMPANY AND I WILL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE". OF THE PRESENTATION BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO PARAPHRASE AND SAY ‘SHOW ME YOUR TAXATION MEASURES AND I TELL YOU WHO ARE DEFENDING'.
NEW TAXES AMOUNTING TO $5.4 BILLION WERE IMPOSED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE ON THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE. TAXI DRIVERS, MINIBUS OPERATORS, PRIVATE MOTORCAR OWNERS, HAULAGE OPERATORS, TRUCK OWNERS, AMONG OTHERS, WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE NEW INCREASES.
THEY WILL NO DOUBT PASS ON THESE INCREASES TO THE ORDINARY PEOPLE. THIS INCLUDES THE SENIOR CITIZEN WHO MUST TAKE A TAXI TO GET TO HOSPITAL IF SHE IS TO BENEFIT FROM THE ABOLITION OF USER FEES.
THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK TAKING THE VENDORS FROM THE RURAL AREAS, WILL PASS ON THE INCREASES TO THEM, AND THEY TO THE CONSUMERS.

MR. SPEAKER, THE TRUTH IS, TRANSPORTATION AFFECTS EVERY SINGLE THING AND EVERY PERSON IN THE COUNTRY AND THE POOR FEELS IT MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO PUT PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE
WHILE THE POOR IS BEING BURDENED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CHOSEN TO GIVE RELIEF OF OVER $1.6 BILLION TO OTHERS WHO ARE IN A BETTER POSITION TO BEAR THE BURDEN AT THIS TIME.
THE GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITY IS WRONG. IT IS TIME TO PUT THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE OF DEVELOPMENT, AND NOT UNDER THE BLADE OF YOUR TAX AXE.
MR. SPEAKER, HONOURABLE MEMBERS WE ARE NOT HERE BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE AND JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING HERE.
WE HAVE BEEN SENT HERE BY THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE STATE ON THEIR BEHALF.

IN OUR OPINION THE MINISTER OF FINANCE HAS GLOSSED OVER THE PRESENT SITUATION - IT IS ALMOST AS IF HE HAS NOT GRASPED THE COMPLEX NATURE OF THE MODERN GLOBAL ECONOMY, AND THAT IS MOST WORRYING.
IN THIS REGARD I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED FOR THE PENSIONERS AND OTHERS ON FIXED INCOMES. I AM ANXIOUS MR. SPEAKER THAT TO DATE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO RESPOND TO THESE THREATS.
HEALTH CARE
MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE BRIEFLY ON CONCERNS I HAVE REGARDING THE HEALTH SECTOR.
SICKNESS IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE, WHO COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY, WERE FORCED TO PAY HOSPITAL FEES WAS ALWAYS A SOURCE OF GREAT DISTRESS FOR ME.
I WANT TO COMMEND THE MINISTER FOR STAYING ON COURSE BY CONTINUING WHAT I HAD STARTED.

IT WAS THE PNP ADMINISTRATION THAT GAVE FREE HEALTH CARE TO CHILDREN FROM ONE TO EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, WITH THE INTENTION OF CONTINUING THE PROCESS I COMMEND THE GOVERNMENT FOR TAKING THE NEXT STEP, WHICH WAS TO ABOLISH USER FEES FOR ADULTS.
NO ONE CAN CLAIM TO HAVE THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE AT HEART AND NOT APPLAUD THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK JAMAICA HAS MADE AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN HEALTH CARE AND THE MEMBERS ON THIS SIDE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE.
WE WILL, HOWEVER, MAKE REPRESENTATION FOR YOU TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE.
HAVING SAID THAT WE MUST ALSO NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT MEDICAL INFLATION (THAT IS INCREASES IN THE COST FOR MEDICAL SERVICES, MEDICATION AND THE PROCUREMENT OF BOTH) IS TYPICALLY ONE AND HALF TO TWO TIMES AS HIGH AS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

THIS MEANS THAT THE MEDICAL INFLATION IN REAL TERMS STANDS AT ABOUT 30%. THEREFORE THE ALLOCATIONS TO HEALTH IN THE BUDGET AS TABLED, WHEN CORRECTED FOR MEDICAL INFLATION AND FOR GENERAL INFLATION, IS WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT.
HOUSING AND THE NHT
THERE HAVE BEEN STATEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THAT THERE MAY BE A MOVE TO INCREASE THE INTEREST RATES CHARGED BY THE NHT.
IF THIS IS TRUE, LET ME MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IF ANY SUCH ATTEMPT IS MADE, WE WILL REGARD IT AS A SERIOUS BREACH OF THE CONFIDENCE AND TRUST OF THE PEOPLE AND WILL OPPOSE IT VIGOROUSLY.
IN THIS ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH PRICES AND UNCERTAINTY, HOW COULD ANYONE WITH A CONSCIENCE WANT TO ADD TO THE PAIN OF THOUSANDS IN THIS WAY?

RATHER THAN LOOKING TO INCREASE THE INTEREST RATE AT WHICH THE
NHT LENDS WE SHOULD FIND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO CUSHION THE ECT OF HIGH COSTS ON THE WORKING POOR, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND SINGLE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS.
THAT IS WHY MY ADMINISTRATION LOWERED THE INTEREST RATES WHILE INCREASING THE LENDING THRESHOLD, AND WHILE I AM ON THE SUBJECT OF THE NHT, MR. SPEAKER, I PLACE ON RECORD FOR THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA THAT THE NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST IS SOLVENT. THERE ARE NO ISSUES REGARDING CASH FLOW OR UNAVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES FOR THE NHT TO CONTINUE WITH ITS MANDATE TO PROVIDE HOUSING SOLUTIONS.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THE POSITION OF THE NHT HAS ALLOWED FOR THE CONTINUED REDUCTION IN INTEREST RATES WHILE INCREASING THE LENDING THRESHOLDS FOR BENEFICIARIES.
WERE IT NOT FOR THE NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST MANY JAMAICANS WOULD NEVER HAVE OWNED A HOME OF THEIR OWN.

THE RIGHT TO SHELTER IS A PRIMARY HUMAN RIGHT AND THE NHT HAS PLAYED A TREMENDOUS ROLE IN PROVIDING SHELTER FOR COUNTLESS JAMAICAN FAMILIES.
THEREFORE MR. SPEAKER, IF THESE STATEMENTS WERE TRUE, AND LENDING RATES FOR MORTGAGES FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER JAMAICANS WERE TO BE INCREASED, IT WOULD HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THOUSANDS OF PERSONS.
THERE WOULD BE A REVERSAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT LEVELS THAT THEY HAD ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE NHT.
I AM ASKING THAT THE PRIME MINISTER PROVIDES THE NATION WITH AN UPDATE ON THE NHT THAT WILL RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN THE INSTITUTION AND RESTORE PEACE OF MIND FOR THE JAMAICAN CONSUMER AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.
MANY OF THEM ARE NOW HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND CONTINUE TO MEET THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AND ATTAIN THEIR CHERISHED GOALS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO A CLEAR STATEMENT ABOUT THE NHT AND INTEREST RATES, WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS DEBATE PROCESS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS PRIME MINISTER.
MR. SPEAKER, IF THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO MISREAD AND MISHANDLE THE PRESENT SITUATION RELATING TO FOOD AND SHELTER, IT WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED THE UNENVIABLE REPUTATION OF TURNING BACK THE ADVANCES OF THE JAMAICAN FAMILY AND OF MIDDLE INCOME PERSONS, FIRST TIME OWNERS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD ... ATTAINED OVER THE LAST EIGHTEEN YEARS TO A POSITION SIMILAR TO THE PLIGHT OF OUR PEOPLE PRIOR TO INDEPENDENCE.
THE NATION WILL BE FACING A DANGEROUS CONCOCTION OF SPIRALLING FOOD PRICES AND INFLATION YOU ARE THREATENING THE ABILITY OF THE JAMAICAN FAMILY TO FEED THEMSELVES, TO CLOTHE THEMSELVES AND TO SHELTER THEMSELVES.

RISING FOOD PRICES:
AND NOW, MR. SPEAKER, THE MOST TROUBLING THING OF ALL - RISING FOOD PRICES.
IN TODAY'S JAMAICA, THE STEEP RISE IN FOOD PRICES IS HITTING THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE VERY HARD.
PEOPLE FROM ALMOST EVERY STRATA OF THE SOCIETY ARE COMPLAINING BITTERLY. THE HARDEST HIT ARE THE UNEMPLOYED, THE POOR, THE PENSIONERS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND SINGLE HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE WOMEN. THEY ARE FEELING THE CRUNCH, AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE.
THERE IS ALSO A NEW TREND EMERGING. WHILE SHOPPING I NOTICED MANY MIDDLE INCOME SHOPPERS, WHO, ON GETTING TO THE CASHIER FACE THE EMBARRASSMENT OF PUTTING BACK ITEMS, INCLUDING BASIC FOOD ITEMS. YOU CAN SEE THE OBVIOUS DISMAY AND SHAME ON THEIR FACES.
THEY START WITH THE NON-FOOD ITEMS, SUCH AS HOUSEHOLD CLEANING AGENTS - DETERGENTS, DISINFECTANT AND SO ON - AND THEN THEY MOVE ON TO SOME OF THE FOOD ITEMS.
THIS MATTER OF HIGH PRICES NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED EFFECTIVELY, NOT SIMPLY BY POINTING TO WORLD CONDITIONS AND OFFERING EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY, BUT BY SERIOUS ACTION.
ONE DIFFICULTY I HAVE IS THE SEEMING INABILITY ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO CONNECT THE DOTS, TO MAKE THE LINKAGES IN RELATION TO HOW ONE THING AFFECTS ANOTHER.
FOR EXAMPLE, HAS ANYONE STOPPED TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE ASTRONOMICAL FOOD PRICES AFFECT PERSONS FROM NO-INCOME AND LOW-INCOME SITUATIONS, WHEN THEY BECOME SICK?
OFTEN WHEN YOU FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTION AT THE PHARMACY AND YOU READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU SEE THE WORDS "BEFORE MEALS" AND "AFTER MEALS". THIS MEANS YOU HAVE TO EAT, EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICATION.
MR. SPEAKER, DOES THE GOVERNMENT REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE JUST CANNOT AFFORD THOSE MEALS TO GO WITH THE MEDICATION THAT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED? AND FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE, AND I AM SURE DR. BAUGH WILL AGREE, IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED YOU COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. SOME MEDICATION WILL WREAK HAVOC ON AN EMPTY STOMACH - "MASH UP" YOUR STOMACH - AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TREATMENT MAY BE SEVERELY REDUCED.
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY FOOD? WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY CLEANING PRODUCTS - SOAP, DISINFECTANT AND SO ON? HOW WILL HEALTH AND SANITATION BE AFFECTED?
SOME IN THIS HOUSE KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE HUNGRY - AND I DON'T MEAN BECAUSE WE HAD TO RUSH OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT HAVING BREAKFAST OR BECAUSE DINNER WAS LATE. I AM TALKING ABOUT BEING HUNGRY BECAUSE OF POVERTY - NO FOOD IN THE HOUSE.
HOW WILL HUNGRY CHILDREN LEARN?
WHAT WILL BE THE NET RESULT OF WIDE SCALE MALNUTRITION AND UNDER NOURISHMENT ON THE WELFARE OF THE YOUNG OF THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE PRICES OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS HAVE RISEN OUT OF THE REACH OF THEIR FAMILIES?.
WE WHO SIT IN THIS HOUSE CAN CHOOSE TO FOREGO BREAKFAST. WE CAN CHOOSE TO SKIP LUNCH AND WE CAN CHOOSE TO GIVE UP DINNER. THE IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT WE HAVE A CHOICE. WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY BECAUSE YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY FOOD, IT IS NOT A MATTER OF CHOICE. BUT FOR THE MAJORITY - THEY HAVE NO CHOICE - IT IS A HARSH REALITY WITH WHICH THEY ARE FACED..

MR. SPEAKER, LET US CONSIDER THE SITUATION OF SINGLE HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS. LET US TAKE THE CASE OF A MOTHER, WITH FOUR CHILDREN - ONE GOING TO UNIVERSITY, ONE TO HIGH SCHOOL, ONE TO PRIMARY SCHOOL AND A BABY.
PRESENTLY, INDIVIDUALS ON THE PATHE RECEIVE $530.00 PER MONTH. HOW CAN THEY ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOOD THEMSELVES, WHEN THE 20% INFLATION HAS REDUCED THEIR SPENDING POWER.
I AM MAKING A STRONG AND FIRM CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT TO URGENTLY REVIEW THIS SITUATION AND TO PUT IN PLACE STRATEGIES THAT WILL ASSIST THE VULNERABLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE PATHE.
MR. PRIME MINISTER, YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF BENEFIT AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES ON PATHE.
MR. SPEAKER, THE PRESSURE ON FAMILIES IS UNBEARABLE.
WHILE WE SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT THE BREAST IS BEST, MANY MOTHERS HAVE TO FEED BABIES WITH FORMULA FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER TO MAKE SURE THE BABY IS GETTING THE PROPER NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT.
SO CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THOSE MOTHERS AND THOSE BABIES WHEN THE PRICE OF BABY FORMULA GOES UP. AND BABY FORMULA HAS GONE UP.
IN LIGHT OF THE SPIRALING INFLATION WE MUST FIND WAYS OF MAKING THE PRICE MORE AFFORDABLE. THE PRICE OF BABY FORMULA MUST BE REDUCED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
DOCUMENTING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES IS NOT ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT THE PRICES ARE REDUCED. OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN THE REGION ARE FINDING WAYS, AS WE DID, TO CUSHION THE IMPACT OF INCREASING PRICES ON BASIC FOOD ITEMS FOR THEIR POPULATION.
MR. SPEAKER, ITEMS SUCH AS SALT MACKEREL, CHICKEN, CORN MEAL, FLOUR, RICE, SUGAR, BABY DIAPERS, INFANT FORMULA AND A RANGE OF FEMININE PRODUCTS ARE AMONG THE LIST OF BASIC COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES MUST BE DEVELOPED TO MAKE THEM AFFORDABLE. THE OPPOSITION STANDS READY TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO IDENTIFY THE BEST SETS OF OPTIONS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS OBJECTIVE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE.

WINNER CITIES
MR. SPEAKER, I READ SOMEWHERE THAT THE WORD "COMMUNITY" HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH "THE GIFTS WE BRING". I REMAIN PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO THE TRANSFORMATION OF COMMUNITIES INTO ZONES OF PEACE, PROSPERITY AND HARMONY - INSTEAD OF WARRING, TRIBAL ZONES. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS WHEREBY COMMUNITIES BECOME THE CATALYST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JAMAICA.
THE INNER CITIES MUST BE TRANSFORMED INTO WINNER CITIES. AND I AM SPEAKING OF URBAN AS WELL AS RURAL JAMAICA. THERE MUST BE STRUCTURED DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COMMUNITIES - IN A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED MANNER.
THAT IS WHAT WE SAID IN OUR MANIFESTO. WE WANT TO SEE WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN BECOME SO EMPOWERED THAT THEY RECOGNISE THEIR GIFTS AND PUT THEM TO THE SERVICE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE NATION.

WE KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE RICH IN TALENTS, SKILLS AND CREATIVITY - JUST WANTING A CHANCE TO DO OUR COUNTRY PROUD. WE SEE THEM DO THIS IN SPORTS, MUSIC, ART, DANCE, FASHION AND IN THE ACADEMIC WORLD.
MR. SPEAKER, WHAT IF TOGETHER WE COULD BEGIN TO UNLEASH THESE ASSETS AND RESOURCES, HUMAN AND OTHERWISE, THAT ALREADY EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITIES? WHAT A WONDERFUL PARADISE WE WOULD PRESENT TO THE WORLD!
I WANT TO PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE AND TO CELEBRATE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS - WHO ARE THE LAW ABIDING WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN WHO WORK AND LIVE IN OUR INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES .
LET US NEVER UNDERESTIMATE, MR. SPEAKER, THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING TO UPGRADE THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES, SOMETIMES WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

BUT, MR. SPEAKER - THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE CHALLENGES ARE MANY BUT WE WILL PREVAIL. I AM CONVINCED THAT BOTH OUR PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH AT THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY.
MR. SPEAKER, AT SOME LEVEL, WE ARE ALL CONNECTED. IT IS TIME THAT WE RECOGNISE THIS, SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD OUR FAMILIES, BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES AND THEREBY BUILD A COUNTRY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE AND IN WHICH EVERYONE IS ASSURED A SPACE.
MR. SPEAKER, LAST YEAR WHEN I ADDRESSED THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE, I SPOKE AT LENGTH ABOUT THE FAMILY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REBUILDING FAMILY STRUCTURES.
MR. PRIME MINISTER AT A RECENT CHURCH FUNCTION YOU EXPRESSED YOUR AGREEMENT WITH ME WITH REGARD TO THE NEED FOR BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES.
I AM FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT BROKEN AND DISFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES ARE AT THE HEART OF MANY OF THE SOCIAL CHALLENGES IN THE SOCIETY. I AM ALSO CONVINCED THAT IF FAMILIES UNITE, COMMUNITIES BECOME STRONG, IF THE FAMILY STRUCTURE IS STRENGTHENED, VALUES AND ATTITUDES WILL CHANGE IN A POSITIVE WAY. AS WE WORK ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WE MUST ALSO SEEK TO BUILD STRONG FAMILY STRUCTURES IN THE COUNTRY.
AS A COUNTRY WE MUST FIND A WAY TO CELEBRATE THE FAMILY, TO GIVE THE FAMILY A PLACE OF PROMINENCE IN THE SOCIETY AND THE COMMUNITY. WHERE THERE IS PRIDE THERE WILL BE PEACE, LOVE HAPPINESS AND UNITY.
CONCLUSION
MR. SPEAKER WE WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE THAT WE ON THIS SIDE WILL BE VIGILANT IN:
• PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO HOUSING;
• PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO EDUCATION;
• PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO EMPLOYMENT;
• PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO HEALTH CARE
• PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES FOR SELF DEVELOPMENT, RECOGNIZING THAT PEOPLE ARE THE ULTIMATE END.

WE PLEDGE WHOLEHEARTED - COOPERATION IN EVERY THING THAT WILL BRING ADVANCEMENT,
WE WILL CONTINUE REACHING OUT TO JAMAICANS AT HOME AND ABROAD; BUILDING BRIDGES, PROMOTING PARTNERSHIPS, CONSULTING WITH THE PEOPLE, AND LEARNING FROM THEIR FEEDBACK SO THAT WE CAN BE ENABLED TO BEST DEFEND THEIR INTEREST AS WE GET ON WITH THE JOB OF PROTECTING THE PEOPLE.
EVERY JAMAICAN MUST COME TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WITHOUT MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION WE WILL ACHIEVE NOTHING.
AND THIS COLLABORATION HAS TO BE A WAY OF LIFE.
A WAY OF LIFE BEGINNING IN THE HOME AND EXTENDING TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY
A WAY OF LIFE IN OUR SCHOOLS;
A WAY OF LIFE CUTTING ACROSS POLITICAL PARTY LINES AND PARTY COLOURS;
A WAY OF LIFE AMONG AND BETWEEN PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
A WAY OF LIFE IN THE WORK PLACE.
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY, TO BECOME, ‘OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE'.
INSTEAD OF TEARING DOWN, WE MUST BUILD UP.
INSTEAD OF DESTROYING, WE MUST DEVELOP,
INSTEAD OF ENGAGING IN DESTRUCTIVE COMPETITION, WE MUST COOPERATE
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE WILL CREATE BETTER CONDITIONS FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. THIS IS HOW WE WILL CREATE WEALTH FOR THE COUNTRY.
EVERY JAMAICAN: MAN, WOMAN, BOY OR GIRL MUST RETURN TO THAT ROLE OF HELPING EACH OTHER.
ONE PEOPLE WHO REALLY DO CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER; WANT THE BEST FOR EACH OTHER AND ARE EAGER TO HELP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER
ONE PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR EACH OTHER.
ONE PEOPLE, COMING TOGETHER, COLLECTIVELY TO PLAY OUR PART NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY
MR. SPEAKER, I LEAVE WITH YOU THE WORDS OF NORMAN MANLEY, AND I QUOTE ‘ I AFFFIRM OF JAMAICA THAT WE ARE A GREAT PEOPLE. OUT OF THE PAST OF FIRE, AND SUFFERING, AND NEGLECT, THE HUMAN SPIRIT HAS SURVIVED - PATIENT AND STRONG, QUICK TO ANGER, QUICK TO FORGIVE, LUSTY AND VIGOROUS, BUT WITH DEEP RESERVES OF LOYALTY AND LOVE, AND A DEEP CAPACITY FOR STEADINESS UNDER STRESS, AND FOR JOY IN ALL THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE GOOD AND BLESSED.'
MR. SPEAKER,AS MEMBERS OF THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE WE MUST BE PROUD THAT WE ARE A PART OF THAT GREAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED AS ONE PEOPLE TO SERVE ONE JAMAICA WITH ONE LOVE.