Paulwell Wants Opposition to Regain Leadership of Parliamentary Committees

Leader of Opposition Business in the Lower House, Phillip Paulwell, is calling on the government to revert leadership of the sessional committees of parliament to Opposition MPs.

Mr. Paulwell says since 2020, the government has shown scant respect to the Opposition’s role in the legislature.

Mr. Paulwell’s call comes after Nationwide News highlighted the dwindling number of sittings being convened for the committees.

He says several incidents in recent months have shown a deterioration in the good functioning of Gordon House.

This includes the scathing letter written to former Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Valerie Curtis, by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness.

Mr. Paulwell is again calling for that letter to be withdrawn.

He says he intends to raise several motions aimed at improving the functioning of parliament when the Standing Orders Committee next meets.

Phillip Paulwell, Leader of Opposition Business. He was speaking at a PNP press briefing on Friday.