Government’s commitments to Integrity
As government marks one year in office, the illustration below highlights some of Government’s major legislative and policy commitments. These commitments were included in the 2018 Barbados Labour Party’s manifesto or made while government was in office. These provisions represent an ambitious but necessary agenda and government ought to be encouraged in bringing them to fruition. To date, government has had some successes on these provisions. However, greater emphasis must be placed on seeing the others through.
The legislative and policy commitments by the government on matters of integrity
| Legislation/Policy | Aim of Legislation/Policy | Comments on the Legislation/Policy | Status of the Legislation/Policy |
| Integrity in Public Life Bill | To promote the integrity of persons in public life and strengthen measures for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of acts of corruption | The Bill has been tabled one year ago. Subsequentially, it was committed to Select Committee. The estimated time of passage and proclamation is at year-end | Not passed |
| Public Finance and Management Bill | Seeks to improve the management of public finance through greater regulation, management and oversight | The Bill was tabled in December 2018 and was committed to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament. Subsequently, it was passed but remains unproclaimed. | Passed but not proclaimed into law |
| Campaign Finance Legislation | To promote greater transparency through reporting during election campaigns. Limits sources of funding. Introduces spending limits. | Commitments to campaign finance legislation were made in the 2018 BLP manifesto. To date, there has been no public legislative movement on this matter | No legislation tabled |
| Contractor General Legislation | To promote greater independence, oversight, accountability and expertise in the tendering and execution of government contracts | Commitments to Contractor General Legislation were made in the 2018 BLP manifesto. To date, there has been no public legislative movement on this matter | No legislation tabled |
| Anti-Corruption Unit | To investigate incidents of corruption and make recommendations for prosecution or other appropriate action | Commitments to establish the Anti-Corruption Unit were made in the 2018 BLP manifesto. To date, legislation is reportedly being drafted and funding has been appropriated | In progress |
| Freedom of Information Act | To grant the public relatively unbridled access government documents and other information. To promote transparency | Senior government officials have affirmed government’s commitment to a Freedom of Information Act. To date, there has been no public legislative movement on this matter | No legislation tabled |
| Proceeds and Instrumentalities of Crime Bill
|
To provide for the recovery of proceeds and instrumentalities of crime including corruption | The Bill was tabled in March 2019 and has since passed both Houses of Parliament and has been proclaimed into law | Passed and Proclaimed |
| Prevention of Corruption Act | To provide additional legislative provisions that detect and penalize acts of corruption | A senior Government Official has affirmed government’s commitment to this legislation. Cabinet is reportedly approving proposals for the bill | In progress |
Combined, these legislative and policy provisions would significantly enhance Barbados’ anti-corruption regime. As such, the public should continue to lobby government to follow through on these commitments.