Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has claimed victory in exposing the “deceit” of the Government, forcing them to withdraw a bill intended to amend the criteria for accessing senior citizens’ pensions and public assistance.
The former prime minister visited the Parliament yesterday to sign the condolence book in honour of Government minister Lisa Morris-Julian, who died in a house fire on Monday along with two of her children.
Persad-Bissessar was questioned on Attorney General Reginald Armour’s announcement yesterday that the controversial bill—The Miscellaneous Provisions (Senior Citizens’ Pension and Public Assistance) Bill 2024—will be withdrawn because a public servant inserted a pension criterion of a savings clause of $25,000 which the Cabinet did not approve.
Persad-Bissessar reminded that she had dubbed the AG “LieMore” and, therefore, she does not believe anything he says.
“I don’t believe a word that he says. This bill was laid in the House on the 9th of December, today is the 18th; you now discovered that you made an error?” she said.
She also ridiculed Armour’s explanation that he was out of the country when the bill came before the Cabinet.
“So, okay, he (Armour) was out of the country. Was the minister also out of the country? Minister Cox, it was laid in her name, as far as I can remember, she was here in the Parliament on that day when it was laid. So why is he trying to fool us?” she said.
‘Like a thief in
the night’
Persad-Bissessar warned that the Government will continue to oppress the people with this legislation, as well as pending increases to public utilities, if they return to office.
“Just as they will do with the property tax, just as they will do with electricity rates, water rates, all these utilities—win elections and then come back and drop it on the people,” she said.
She took credit for exposing the AG, saying the Government would have pushed forward with this bill had she not raised an alarm about it at the United National Congress (UNC) meeting at the party’s headquarters on Monday.
“I claim victory…we will continue to expose them for their deceit. If I had not raised that Monday, you think they withdrawing anything today? No, No, No,” she said.
She said the Government came like a “thief in the night” and laid the bill and then adjourned the House for a date to be fixed and delivered Christmas greetings, bringing the Parliament to a close for the year.
“They will continue to do this and we will continue to expose them! We stand on the side of the people and we will continue so to do!” she exclaimed.
Sad state of affairs
Speaking with the Express earlier yesterday by telephone, Persad-Bissessar had called on the Government to withdraw the bill, saying the Opposition will object to it.
She said the legislation impacted the ability of thousands of elderly and vulnerable people to receive Senior Citizens’ Pension and public assistance.
Persad-Bissessar said she has been overwhelmed with calls and messages from concerned people about this move, adding there is a fear that accessing both the senior citizens’ pensions and the public assistance grants will become a nightmare.
“It is a very sad state of affairs. Why is the Government going after these people, the needy and most vulnerable in our society?” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said she understands that there may be a need to weed out people who should not be receiving these funds, but there must be a better way to deal with that issue.
She pointed out there are complaints from the elderly about the delays when it comes to applying for the Senior Citizens’ Pension, and these vulnerable people are left wanting.
The Government should look at reducing their own salaries and pensions before making any such move, she said.
“It is preposterous. They are looking after themselves but want to take away from the people. Only a leader who is cold-hearted and lacks compassion can do something like this.
“But this has been the pattern of the Rowley Government for the past nine going on ten years, oppressing the people, giving them pittances in salary increases, cutting pensions and public assistance, imposing the wicked property tax, but making sure to look after his future well,” she said.