Attorney General Hon. Dawn Smith has called out the government for what seems to be a recurring practice of blaming persons in her post for the wrong doings of government.
Smith at the time was speaking during the special sitting of the House of Assembly which was recalled to address the legal challenges highlighted in a recent audit report which was conducted on the Andrew-Fahie led government’s Fast Track Programme.
Earlier in the proceedings, Deputy Premier Hon. Kye Rymer who laid the bill entitled “Immigration and Passport Validation Bill 2023” to validate the nearly 700 belongership statuses that were illegitimately approved, blamed the former Attorney General Baba Aziz for role played in providing advice to the then government, which led to the passing of the legislation.
Smith in her address to members of the House said the casted blame reminded her of a similar occurrence during the Commission of Inquiry hearings.
The AG said while she cannot attest to what exactly transpired nearly four years ago, she can vouch for the competence of former AG Aziz in his ability to properly execute his duty.
AG Smith said since taking office she has pointed to the benefits of the legislative process and the need for the government to have Cabinet establish a well thought-out policy which will guide the drafting and scrutinizing of legislation and highlight the need for proper public consultation on every drafted legislation.
She said as it stands, the above practice is seldom done.