Government ministers who were unable to or chose not to present during this week’s shortened Budget Debate will have future opportunities to discuss their ministerial portfolios, according to Ambassador Lionel Hurst, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Speaking at Friday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Hurst addressed concerns about the unusual conclusion of the 2025 Budget Debate, where not all ministers were able to defend their budget allocations.
“Each of the ministers will get an opportunity some time in the near future to speak about their ministries, anyway,” Hurst said.
He explained that these presentations would still be subject to opposition scrutiny, maintaining the democratic process of policy examination.
The assurance comes in the wake of scenes in Parliament this week, where the Budget Debate ended prematurely amid heated exchanges between government and opposition members over the government’s decision to wrap up the debate.
The controversy began when Parliament reconvened after lunch on Wednesday, with most opposition members being initially absent.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne moved to conclude the debate, citing a prior conversation with the Leader of the Opposition over the rotation. But none of the Opposition MPs who were present were willing to speak on the Budget at that time.
However, when Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle arrived, he strongly objected to the decision that the prime minister had taken. Barbuda MP Trevor Walker also argued that his constituents “have an obligation to hear what I have to say on a national budget”.
The early conclusion of the debate also meant that several government ministers did not get to present their portfolio plans.
Meanwhile, the Senate is set to begin its debate next week, and this occasion will mark the maiden speeches for a number of new senators on both sides of the aisle.
