A.J. Nicholson

Opposition senators stayed away from yesterday's sitting of the Senate where a bill was tabled to amend the Property Tax Act.

In a terse letter to president of the Senate, Oswald Harding, leader of opposition business, A.J. Nicholson said: "Regrettably, opposition senators will not be able to attend today's sitting of the Senate."

He told The Gleaner afterwards that it was not necessary for opposition members to be present as the only business of the day was the tabling of the bill.

Eight government senators were in attendance.

Meanwhile, the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) says it is concerned that the Government has not held the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing for the last three weeks.

The party's spokesperson on information, Lisa Hanna, says the Opposition is particularly concerned that the press briefings have not been held at a time when the Government is preparing for the annual Budget Debate.

A vital source of information

She argues that the press briefings serve as a vital source of information for the public and promotes accountability on the part of government.

"It is critical that the public be aware of the issues being considered and deliberated by Cabinet," Hanna said, demanding an explanation for the failure to hold briefings.

She is urging the Bruce Golding-led administration to ensure that a post-Cabinet press briefing is held before Parliament is prorogued and the Budget Debate begins.