Where is the Integrity Bill
In few weeks, the BLP administration will be marking one year at the helm of government. To this administration’s credit, they were quick off the mark with legislative and policy initiatives to address the multiplicity of concerns confronting the island. High among these concerns were the matters of corruption and integrity. This was evidenced by the Integrity in Public Life Bill which was tabled during the first sitting of parliament. Since its tabling, there were numerous headlines, parliamentary debates, the formation of a Parliamentary Select Committee and stakeholder involvement. Yet, despite these initial efforts, it would appear that the administration’s vigour has not endured. The official word from government is that the bill is set for passage in September 2019.
The cost of corruption
If this administration does in-fact commit to the September deadline, sixteen months would have passed since the initial tabling of the Integrity in Public Life Bill. Such a timeframe is regrettable given the importance of this legislation. In its absence, the public sector remains susceptible to the corrupt and self-serving actions of wrong-doers. This is particularly concerning as the realities of fiscal adjustment have been attested by the 2019-2020 Estimates. Therefore, Barbados could least afford to further delay efforts designed to stem the tide of corruption, and as such, the Integrity in Public Life bill ought to be re-prioritised.
Prioritise integrity
With the introduction of an integrity commission, asset declarations and whistle-blowing provisions, the bill is transformative in its nature and expectedly will take time. Yet since coming to office, the public has witnessed the passage and implementation laborious legislative and policy initiatives. Whether it be IMF and debt restructuring negotiations, OECD compliance or the Public Finance and Management bill, this administration has shown its ability to manage substantial pieces of legislation and policy in a timely fashion.
Therefore, for the sake of transparency and the avoidance of distrust, inquiries into the rationale behind the September timeline ought to be made. These questions should include, what work is currently being done on the bill. What are the difficulties that government confronts that can account for the new deadline, what are the suggestions from the select committee that have been taken onboard, when will the final bill be made public and what is necessary for its passage to be expedited.
Learning from the past
This administration’s continued engagement with the public on integrity legislation is necessary as we have witnessed the shelving of the Prevention of Corruption Act by the previous administration. As such, the public’s confidence in the willingness of politicians to hold themselves to account is undoubtedly low. Therefore, continuing to prorogue the passage of the Integrity in Public Life Bill without sufficient explanation will further erode this confidence.
The outcome of the previous election ought to be a reminder of the political cost for failing to address matters of integrity that subsequently have a direct bearing on socio-economic realities. Conceivably therefore, it would be in the best interest of this administration and the country as whole, to ensure the island’s integrity regime is fortified.