By Gazette newsdesk2021-05-11T11:50:00+01:00
Legislation to restore the balance of power between the executive, legislature and the courts was announced in the Queen s speech today - ahead of the outcome of the government s consultation and the independent review into the working of the Human Rights Act. A Judicial Review Bill is among 31 pieces of legislation to be presented by the government in the new parliamentary session.
As widely trailed, the programme includes a new planning bill. In what is expected to be the biggest shake-up of the planning system in decades local authorities would be forced to set new zones for housing. Meanwhile a Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill would end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties.
The Official Secrets Acts were last updated in 1989, when the Berlin Wall was torn down and Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Fitting, because the they are stuck in the Cold War era, taking
Finger in the wind
After suggesting in opposition he would support oil drilling with certain caveats, PM panders to populist view on controversial issue Dr. Hubert Minnis.
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis’ declaration on Friday that he is “totally against” drilling for oil in Bahamian waters is decidedly stronger in tone than his previously stated position on the matter when he was in opposition.
“I am totally against drilling for oil in our waters, totally,” Minnis said. “I have said that before; that has not changed.”
Though we have no record of Minnis ever expressing enthusiastic support for Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) planned exercise, the Free National Movement leader had said in opposition, “In embarking on oil drilling, the only thing I ask is that proper regulations be in place.”