Monday’s opening of the new session of Parliament will not be a ceremonial one since Government wants to settle down to work due to a hectic agenda ahead, says PP House leader Roodal Moonilal. Acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith issued the proclamation for the prorogation of the fourth session of the current tenth Parliament. This occurred at midnight yesterday.
He also issued the proclamation for launch of the fifth session which will take place at 1.30 pm on Monday. Monday’s opening will also herald the final session of the tenth Parliament, with the end of the five-year term due in nine months’ time. Moonilal said there would be a recess at some point but didn’t say exactly when in August.
Among first priorities for Government is passage of the Procurement Bill. It was passed in the Senate three weeks ago and the bill and amendments were being debated in the Lower House when the last session was in force. Other officials said legislation on the Financial Intelligence Unit also had to be finalised early in the new session. The 2014-2015 budget is expected as well in early September. Gail Alexander