Independent Senators Say Bill Undermines Accountability

The government’s proposed National Assembly Powers, Privileges and Immunities Bill is facing strong pushback from all four independent senators. Their biggest objection centers on Section 16(2), which would require public officers to get consent before handing over documents or giving evidence on state affairs to the Senate. NGO Senator Janelle Chanona says the measure is flat‑out unconstitutional. Other senators warn that because the Governor General acts on the advice of the Executive, the very officials who might be under investigation could influence what information is released. Business Senator Kevin Herrera says that under this bill, an inquiry into executive corruption could be stalled with a single refusal. Church Senator Louis Wade and Union Senator Glenfield Dennison also voiced strong concerns, arguing the clause undermines transparency and weakens the Senate’s oversight powers. We’ll break down why independent senators are pushing back so strongly, and what this bill could mean for parliamentary scrutiny going forward.

 

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“Let us play this out if the Senate is investigating executive corruption or mismanagement, the governor General reaches out to the executive. The executive can simply advise the governor general to withhold consent under the guise of “affairs of the state”. It is a very broad term. Anything can come under that term madam president.”

 

Janel Chanona, NGO Senator

“Because of that fear of supporting something that to me reads as unconstitutional I took t upon myself to confer with other speakers of parliament I have had the opportunity to meet and asking their insight and they were also at a loss as to what the rationale will be and how that supports what our constitution conveys both in terms of separation of powers and specifically for the powers and functions the constitution gives.”

 

Louis Wade, Church Senator

“I do agree and believe that it beholden the Senate to the Governor General as it relates to what can and can’t be said by a public officer when certain questions are asked. And based on my observation the Governor General does not have a full cadre of professional that can help him or her make that determination. That governor general must depend upon the existing public service.”

 

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“On this matter madam president I just wish to make my position clear. I am clearly objecting to this particular bill and I stand very firmly.”

 

So, with all four independent senators rejecting that clause outright, the pressure is now on the government to revisit the bill. Whether Section 16(2) stays, changes, or gets dropped altogether could determine just how much real oversight the Senate will have going forward. We’ll keep following the developments.