The opposition’s David Osborne has moved to the government’s bench in the Montserrat Legislative Assembly to assist in the passing of two finance bills.
“Today, I’m sitting here on the government’s side of the isle, temporarily,” the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) member said during his opening statement on 25 June.
The move was “for one reason and one reason only”, he said, and that was “to ensure that the government has enough people on their side so they can pass two bills, in particular”.
“They lost someone and found themselves in a crisis,” Osborne said, referring to the recent resignation of parliamentary secretary Veronica Dorsette-Hector.
“So we, in PDM, because we always put people first no matter what, are helping them out, and as a result helping you, the people.
“As elected members, we should always do what is in the best interest of the people who elected us,” he said.
Critical development
Osborne said his duty is to ensure that two bills pass into law – the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (13) 2024 and the Income and Corporation Tax (Amendment) Bill.
This will “bring fairly quick relief from the hardship and suffering that we have all been experiencing over the past few years”, he said.
The Supplementary Appropriation (2024) Bill – No 13 will make EC$25,434,600 available to the government to finance critical infrastructure projects and economic development projects.
“This will help government to respond directly and address the urgent issue with Montserrat’s water and power supply infrastructure,” Osborne explained.
“Energy distribution will improve by these monies and fix the problems with MUL and stop the electricity outage that blows out our TVs, refrigerators, etc. and disrupts our businesses and our homes.”
Access to safe and clean drinking water will be safeguarded, he said, and residents will receive training and development support to carry out projects.
The money will also go to fix the problem of the elderly sewage infrastructure in Lookout, which “must be done like yesterday”, he said.
“If you don’t get that sewage plant fixed really, really soon, some people in Lookout will definitely find themselves and their homes caught up in a river of brown stuff.”
Financial windfall
The Income and Corporation Tax (Amendment) Bill requires two sittings in the assembly to be made into law, Osborne explained.
It will raise the income tax threshold from EC$15,000 to $18,000 per year.
This will mean that “all of us can get a little more money from our salaries and wages to help put more food on the table and give the island an economic boost”, Osborne said.
The government is making this tax break retroactive to January 1, 2024, “so everybody will get a little financial windfall next payday”, he added.
Osborne stressed that if the bills are not passed immediately, the people of Montserrat will end up suffering much longer.
“So through me, the PDM is stepping up onto the bench today, taking a stand for you, only for you, for your well-being and the good of Montserrat,” he said.
“I need to see some relief from my people now. That’s it.
“This is only this is the only reason I’m sitting here today doing whatever I can, even when it is painful, to help make things better for you, my people.”
He said the PDM consulted with its members before making the decision and received overwhelming support.
Premier Joseph E Farrell in his opening statement, said the opposition understands that “politics is not about us, but the people who sent us here”.
