Govt renews campaign finance reform pledge

Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis vowed yesterday to amend the Public Disclosure Act to include campaign finance reform.

A campaign finance bill was promised by the former Hubert Minnis administration, but never made it to Parliament.

Halkitis said it is important that Bahamians have the tools needed to hold their elected officials accountable.

“This administration is not interested in doing business as usual. We are not interested in small, incremental changes. Our transformative agenda is primed to bring broad, sweeping changes to every area of our society, starting with the government itself. We will make amendments to the Public Disclosure Act to include campaign finance reform, with prosecution of those who run afoul of the law,” he said in the Senate yesterday as he began debate on a resolution to thank the governor general for the Speech from the Throne.

“There must also be the 

perception that the rule of law is observed. Many members of the public feel that the application of justice depends on the socioeconomic background of the accused. Whether there is truth to this or not, it is problematic that members of our society feel this way. We are putting in place the framework to ensure that when those at the top break the rules, they are held accountable.”

While the Minnis administration did table the Integrity Commission Bill – which would have repealed the 45-year-old Disclosure Act – as well as the Ombudsman Bill, they were never debated and passed in Parliament.

Earlier this year, the Minnis administration also passed the Public Procurement Bill, which came into effect in September and is expected to bring sweeping reforms to how government contracts are awarded.

Halkitis said the Davis administration will build upon that law.

“Our anti-corruption legislation will enforce higher standards of conduct for public officials. Senior officials will be called on to lead by example. This idea that there are different rules for the political class and the common man must be done away with. Under this administration, procurement policies will be more transparent and more efficient, ensuring that all government engagements and purchases are done in accordance with the highest standards,” he said.

“This may not be the highest profile or exciting policy issue, but it is very important that we end inconsistent, discretionary procurement procedures. To complement these reforms, we will also bring greater transparency to public financial management, so that it is clear who is receiving government funds and that the government is getting value for money.”

In the Blueprint for Change document, which highlights the Davis administration’s agenda, the PLP promised to fully implement the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), present an Integrity Commission Act, Ombudsman Bill, new Public Disclosure Act, Anti-Corruption Act, campaign finance reform, code of conduct, Whistleblower Act, Electoral Reform Act and Procurement Act. 

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/govt-renews-campaign-finance-reform-pledge/