TT opposition "coup" forces TV broadcast of finance hearings

The Trinidad and Tobago opposition has staged a "coup" in Parliament and has forced hearings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to be broadcast live on television on Friday. It happened because three government members failed to attend the PAC meeting, leaving the government in a minority position.

The PAC comprises 10 members: six from the ruling party, three from the Opposition and an independent.

The resolution to broadcast the hearings was presented on June 27. On that day three PNM members were absent: Senator Hazel Manning, Senator Tina Gronlund-Nunez and MP Roger Joseph.

That created an opportunity for PAC Chairman, Dr Roodal Moonilal, to put the matter to a vote. Three Opposition members - Moonilal, Senator Adesh Nanan and MP Vasant Bharath - and the Independent Senator voted for the motion; the Government side had only three votes and the motion was carried.

The deciding vote in favour of broadcast came from Independent Senator Corinne Baptiste Mc Knight.

The PAC deals with matters relating to government spending and the report of the auditor general.

Traditionally its hearings are held in private. But on Friday it will be a public affair starting at 9.30 in the morning locally on Channels 4 and 16 and cable Channel 11 unless government uses its majority to pass another resolution to reverse the earlier one.

The agenda for Friday includes discussion on the annual audited financial reports of the Arima Borough Corporation as well the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA). Members expect to call the board of the SWRHA to give evidence before them.

Wade Mark, a former PAC chairman welcomes the idea of a public broadcast.

"The principles of accountability, transparency, scrutiny and probity of public affairs are crucial and lie at the heart of any democratic structure. That is why information and the sharing of information are the currency of any democracy," Mark told the Newsday newspaper.

"It is the right of the people to witness what is taking place at the level of the PAC, JSCs and the PAEC. There is no room for secrecy," he said.