And finally tonight, the Senate yesterday debated the General Revenue Appropriation Bill, 2023. Now, the usual flag bearer for the UDP, Mike Peyrefitte was out of the country and could not make it to the meeting. And, oddly, so were the two other UDP Senators - meaning that on the opposition bench, it was a full house of temporary Senators.
Well, the Leader of government business literally "had dance" with them - that's after temporary senator Ashton McKenzie said government was cooking the books with this budget:
Ashton McKenzie, UDP Senator
"I listened to the Leader for Government Business boast this morning how 68,000 people miraculously elevated out of poverty. How Madam President? A budget is a reflection of our government's priorities. Looking at the figures for this year's budget, clearly, the people of this country are not a priority. I say this because as I perused this year's revenue and expenditure appropriation bill, I was blown away that how the government in fact spends more money on overseas representation than it does on our youth, women and elderly combined."
"As I visited the IMF page perusing the country report about the IMFs last work visit to Belize, I was alarmed at the fact that many of the formulas used to calculate poverty, unemployment has been replaced. It is pretty obvious that the government is attempting to cook the books."
Eamon Courtenay, Leader Of Government Business
"I remember a man named Lovindeer, you know that name? He had a son named "One Day Christian." When I listen to the senators opposite, I hear one day Senators."
"Madam President, honorable Senators, I will offer forgiveness, and ask the reverend to pray for them."
"I am saying this again. I can only assume because they're one of the senators. When people come in here and accuse the government of cooking the books, they must remember that it is public officers who prepare these books. Senator McKenzie, you accuse the government. I quote you, "government is attempting to cook the books.""
"You are in effect accusing public officers. It is wrong. It is unfair to do so. None of us here, no minister prepares the books of the government."
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