Governor-General deputy shares thoughts on elected Senators

By Aabigayle McIntosh

Governor-General Deputy Sir Clare Roberts believes Senators should be elected and not appointed to the Upper House of Parliament.

He shared his personal opinion on the matter during a swear-in ceremony on Monday for the country’s newest Senator Pearl Quinn-Williams to represent the Opposition United Progressive Party.

He explains that there is some greater level of autonomy when an individual exercises his or her opinion instead of the party to which they are committed to.

“As someone who would have served as an Independent Member of the Senate, I speak from experience when I say reforms to elevate the Senator to its role,” Roberts said.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle also shared his perspective indicating that, “I believe it is something that we can look at, but at this time we are not there yet, but I believe when we look at constitutional reform, that should be something that we really consider”.

Senator Pearl Quinn-Williams is fully supporting the idea.

“I would really, really like to see the Senate as an elected Senate. That is not something we can just bring to the House. Private bills – I think this is a way to bring issues on the legislative effort,” she said.