Stop the excuses: Quinn-Williams says in maiden speech

“Pay attention to the details” was the admonition of newly appointed Opposition Senator Pearl Quinn-Williams while making her maiden speech in the Senate on Wednesday morning.

She takes over from Opposition senator Shawn Nicholas who resigned last month.

Quinn-Williams referred to the budget presented by Finance Minister and Prime Minister Gaston Browne earlier this month.

The GDP growth was once area Quinn-Williams questioned mentioning that while senators on the other side are celebrating this projected growth, many of the people are not feeling this.

“If the masses are not feeling it financially, if we are not seeing it in the road infrastructure, if we can’t pay public workers their back pay if we can’t maintain our buildings, if we can’t clean up and improve the city of St. Johns and if we have a healthcare system that is failing then what are we speaking about,” Quinn-Williams said.

She added that she is not against investment but would more so like to see money put into other avenues besides the continued construction of hotels.

She instead calls for improvements in Social Security and for the focus to be placed on assessing and implementing incentives to address the cost of living.

Reducing food prices, reducing the cost of construction, repealing business tax, passing on savings when the world oil price is low, and raising the minimum wage and salaries to a fair level to combat the cost of living were just a few of several options Quinn-Williams suggested dealing with the financial hardships of the people.

Quinn-Williams condemned the government for their constant excuses and finger-pointing when they fall short of their duties to the nation.

“When will this government take some accountability? It has now been 10 years, and they are still speaking as if they have just taken control from the previous administration. Stop the excuses about what you inherited. You got the job, now do the work,” Quinn-Williams challenged.

In concluding her speech, Quinn-Williams condemned PM Browne and the ministers for wrapping up their budget presentations in the Lower House without several ministers speaking and outlining how they would use these budget allocations within their respective ministries.

She said the people have a right to know how exactly these funds will be used.