Prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, closed the debate on the 2014-2015 national budget on Tuesday evening, noting that a number of Dominicans have been freed from paying taxes while at the same time blasting the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) saying it has no interest in the issues affecting the nation.
The $489-million budget was passed without the presence of the UWP after members walked out of the house last week before a motion was tabled calling for the suspension of opposition senator, Danny Lugay, who has a matter before the court.
The prime minister noted that the budget will free 1,508 Dominicans from paying taxes, bringing to a total of close to 4,000 the number of persons who have benefited since his administration began tax reforms.
“It is we who came here to parliament and remove the income tax on pensioners’ pension, madam speaker,” he stated. “It is we who came to parliament and increase the minimum pension for all public pensioners.”
Skerrit said when the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) took office in 2000, it inherited what he described as a “dangerous state of affairs.”
“It was almost like we were handed a poisoned chalice,” he stated. “Every single supplier of goods and services in Dominica was being owed, $25-million being owed to Social Security. We had to pay all of this back, the Labour Party had to pay it back.”
He remarked that Caribbean countries such as St. Lucia and Barbados are either offering salary cuts or sending workers home, but this has not been the case in Dominica, because his administration is managing the affairs of Dominica ‘in a responsible manner.’
“To the point that not one public officer has been sent home and we here providing them with additional assistance, additional relief,” he said.
The prime minister noted this is not the case with the opposition whose absence, he noted, was not surprising.
“They have no interest in the suffering of Dominicans,” Skerrit said. “They have no interest in creating opportunities for the unemployed of Dominica. They have no interest in finding solutions to the issues confronting Dominicans and Dominica. If you are in opposition and you behaving that way, far more when you come in charge, if you become in charge.”
He said there are those Dominica, such as farmers and public officers, who work to earn a living, while members of the opposition do not show up for work and “are first to go and get their salaries at the end of the month.”
“They do not work, madam speaker, you have to come into parliament to work,” he noted. “The budget debate is the most important agenda item for the calender year of the parliament. So to miss that, madam speaker, tell you you have no interest in what is affecting Dominica.”
He said the UWP’s only motivation is to “come into government.”
A lot of u people don’t live in an realistic works
some of u all comments are sickening to r ead what a waste of ur time not realistic, I don’t think
U all are living in the real world, all u all do is think politics do go back and examine ur self politics can’t be all
Mr PM if you want opposition members to debate your budget present something debatable. When you present garbage and the stench can be smelt throughout the length and breath of Dominica and indeed the wider world; did u honestly expect any one with decency and commonsense to partake in your garbage presentation. Only those on your side like u said who work for their money by like true garbollogists who must support your garbage; or else? It is such a shame that the minister of Agriculture the grand-father of your side would be the one delivering the most garbage at a budget address. The man unashamedly exposed his senility by spending more time babbling about Lennox Linton’s lack of academic qualification to be the leader of the country; than the business of the farmers for which he is paid to represent. Shame on you parliamentary grand-pa it’s time for you to go roll your rosary DFDF.
Skerrit so many people are refusing to listen to you now. YOU ARE GONE SIR. Too much poverty in the country.Too many beggars in the country. AND IT IS SOLELY BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOUR INEPT POLICIES.
What budget,Who wants to listen to pampers and wipes.Never in my life i heard such nonsense.This guy need to go back to school.There is more important things to address. I cnt believe Dominican are that foolish.I dnt blame these guys for walking out and that madam speaker oh my what a rude lady.She need to look up the word respect because she dnt kwn the meaning of the word.Only in Dominica these nonsense can happen.The Pm telling the people of Dominica to go to hell.I hope when am ready to come to leave in my Dominica these people are no longer around.
Parry, I would advise the Prime Minister, the move to cut taxes on pampers, baby wipes and diapers should be reconsidered. I would, instead, remove all duties including vat on milk and sugar. I would also tell the Prime Minister that the move to have the removal of vat take effect in August and the money to the pensioners in October, should also be reconsidered. The money should be paid immediately. I would also tell the Prime Minister stop killing a dead horse, the UWP was discarded by the people of Dominica since 2000.
anything that is being done some peope wil have a problem with it, supporter and non-supporter,…..i believe that duties shoud be taken off the basic food items,such as sugar, flour,rice,milk ect but i support the view of the government on the tax cut on pampers and wipes because their is a yes we care program in place and the tax cut supports it……you can call it sustainability.
I dont know how people saying Skerro smart. The man was not smart in primary school, neither in high school, so how all of a sudden he come smart there noh?
This is clearly leadership by fear!
This budget was not in the best interest of Dominicans. Too much loopholes and imaginative scenarios.
How smart are you? What are your credentials? Some of you are not as educated as the PM and you state he is not smart. If you were smart you would cooperate with the PM and make D/ca a better place and economically so.
Mothers and fathers can now breathe a sigh of relief that they can import baby items for less, but that is until my kid grow up and no longer needs these items. Can anyone tell me why this petty concessions are in a coutry’s budget?
the government have programs in place and before the move to anything new they have to maintain what is already in place,like the yes we care program.
Poor Poor Poor presentation on the part of Skerrit. He does not have command of the English language and he himslef does ot even believe in what he said.
In this budget speech were all the ideas that UWP told us that they would do when they win the next election.
wow wow wow look an angry pm.
But I don’t understand……The Prime Minister got what he always wanted. He alone in the house with no opposition and he complaining.
Partner…..You Malade!!!
SMH
Team Dominica must keep the pressure on right up to election day because we must have change
these are the stuffs i like seeing, not the getting at people.
Labour party. Keep talking about debt from 15 years ago smh. And in the next 5 years they will still be talking about the so called debt the uwp incurred in 41/2 years in government like is that holding them back
Anonymous nonsense talk that I went to da for two weeks da is I a bad state
Skerritt, you dere boasting about the lowered income tax. PPl who are at the bottom of the pay scale alone dat going to get relief wi. And these ppl already were not paying income tax. Ppl like me and my contemporaries that earning lower middle income salaries, that paying mortgage and sending our children to school and university we still have the big burden on our backs. Plus Social Security grabbing their share every six months. So what you boasting about dere nuh??
Stupes!
Lets be realistic. The government has an 18-3 majority with a prime minister that have no respect for the people the Constitution or the opposition and a President and speaker who are anything but partial. To add salt to wound they have removed one voting member. What difference will it make if they stayed. The PM is trying to make up for his shortfall somewhere else so his insecurity is quit obvious.
Dominicans seat by when President was shoved down there throats and we see the same behavior everywhere. The PM says if it means he has to stop road construction to fund red clinic he will do. You call that Prudent management. With 18-3 majority this pm has largest security detail in history of Dominica. If you are so loved why are you so afraid of your people. Is it because you paranoid or you know you doing shady stuff.
My biggest fear is that it may be too late when our people realize it is time for the skeritt to go.
* has no
*stayed?
* shortfalls
* is quite
* sit by
* a president
* their throats
* says,
* the red
*do so.
* prudent
*management?
* with an
* majority,
* PM
* the largest
* in the history
* people?
* or because
* you’re doing
* Skerrit.
You’re welcome.
Thanks.
Skerro it is election time u will not layoff but AFTER election if u win, alot of people will be sent home.
The opposition deserves to be blasted. I cannot wait to see Skerrit and his gang of incompetence out of office, but the opposition is playing the royal A… The only medium the opposition has at its disposal is Q95 with a two hour programme on Thursday evenings.
Matt accommodates them on the hot seat, Angelo also in his own way sometimes. These guys got a brilliant opportunity to be live on radio, television and internet during the last budget debate and they boycott!
Are they serious? Do they known how many Dominicans kept switching their radio and television on and off to see whether the opposition was speaking?
How can you boycott parliament for Danny Lugay who made a fool of himself? If UWP was in government they would have done the same to embarrass who ever it was that is in Danny’s position. So Labour kicking Danny out of the House is the logical thing that any political party, in their position, would do.
UWP had to strategize, since Danny is on bail common sense would dictate that Danny should be tactically withdrawn from parliament and replaced with Lennox Linton as Senator.
The mere presence of Lennox in the House would neutralize any plans Labour had for Danny and Skerrit would be shitting in his pants because his Met Gel would be under his bed.
Then Lennox speaks at prime time, 7:00 p.m. all the UWP members make their contributions in quick succession and THEN walk out of the house, leaving Alix, Skerrit and the rest of the gang to lick their wounds.
Oh UWP! I am very much concerned about you. You cannot beat Skerrit with mepuis, you cannot beat him in the gutter, you cannot beat him on the media, you definitely cannot beat him with MONEY, your only tool is the strength of your candidates, your programme and apparent honesty, but if you fail to realize that you have to reach out to people away from Q95, then I’m afraid that you are facing another defeat at the polls.
I’m leaving you with this indisputable fact, the battle lines for the next election are drawn, there is nothing that Labour can do to win the die hard UWP supporters and there is nothing that UWP can do to win the die hard Labour supporters, this base is almost equal, about 30,000 voters. With this the split is 10 to 11 seats in favor of either party.
Therefore the battle for the elections is to capture the 9,000 votes, this includes people like me. I will not vote for Skerrit but if you, UWP, continues to piss me off I will stay home and I can tell you that there many others like me, and Skerrit will win handsomely.
So continue with this B.S. of boycotting and you’ll see how easy it will be for Labour to be voted back in.
My final word of advise, use the resources of your team to regain focus, you have lost focus on your program, start talking about the 5000 jobs, the growing of the economy, some months ago you had the momentum, Skerrit was on the run, now you are on the defensive. You should have gone to the House to put blows on Skerrit.
I’m not angry, I am only disappointed that a political party which has no access to DBS Radio, GIS, Chronicle, Kairi FM, Vibes Radio and all the other news media except Q95, could boycott an opportunity to send their message to the voters and the world and allow Skerrit to blast them in parliament, blast them on DBS,
Nuf said.
I am giving Team Dominica and UWP one more chance to get their acts together, another stupid action like this one will make me decide long before the election that I will not vote.
I wish I had the opportunity to tell it to UWP in their face, but I trust that someone will read this and inform them of it.
I am Peter Joseph and I can assure that there many like me out there.
Respond through DNO. The likes or dislikes do not bother me.
One Love
my boy you hit the nail on the head!
I have read many comments in DNO over the years. I must confess that this comment is the most confusing one I have ever read.
HAHAHAHA is good for Peter J. he here backing you all party and you there saying that about him is good anytime someone speaks the truth they are dumb.
How was is it confusing? That was a well put together. Statement from a disgruntled voter who wants to vote for uwp but is dissapointed by their action in the house of Parliament and he does have a point i agree with him whole hartedly that is bad strategy to keep boycotting these house of Parliament events where ur voice will be herd
Peter J, I am an avid supporter of UWP and will boldly vote them for them this year some hell or high water. But I have to say…your commentary is honest and true…not everyone is 100% convinced and with limited media access this was an excellent opportunity to reach the masses. I’m not sure what the strategy to boycott was all about. I can only surmise that the opposition wants to be seen as taken a hard stance against the DLP nonesense. I think a better approach would have been to mobilize popular support outside of parliament for their arguments against this insulting budget.
Opportunity lost, but I do think Lennox is a brilliant organizer and this team may yet pull off another surprise or two. I hope you continue supporting change for our nation!
Dominicans do not listen to or read intelligent discourse. They do everything based on raw emotion or how handsome or pretty the person who is talking appears.
Man I think that after all these warnings these guys keep walking out without addressing the peoples business. You on the fence but I think that they loose me. These guys are jokers.
They used to refer to the public servants as ‘jerkers and shirkers’. Wonder who this term most fittingly applies to now?
He remarked that Caribbean countries such as St. Lucia and Barbados are either offering salary cuts or sending workers home, but this has not been the case in Dominica, because his administration is managing the affairs of Dominica ‘in a responsible manner.’
Mr. Skerritt, you need to be more selective with your statements when comparing your governance to others. Are you saying that the government of St.Lucia and Barbados managed their affairs irresponsibly? Because last I check, giving tax break to 1500 people is not improving your economy or saving money. It’s actually costing the country money. And yes I do support the tax break for pensioners. However Mr. PM you have yet to show how you are going to generate more revenue or build the country financial stability. STOP BUYING VOTES and start governing
According to you, a poisoned chalice was given to you approximately ten years ago and you have not been able to empty the chalice. There are some advice as to how to empty the chalice. You must reduce the many Ministers of Government and Advisors. You must revamp the banana industry, make available 1000 acres of land, principally to the young farmers and invest a minimum of $30 million in the industry. Reduce totally, all taxes and duties including vat on construction materials. Put in place an aggressive marketing strategy to market Dominica all over the world. The building of an International Airport and fast ferry service. Corruption, corruption and waste must be eliminated. Stay away from the Kalinago people, allow them to have their own Minister of Government, their own bank, their own College, control of their council. If you are unable to start the ball rolling before the next General Elections, in order to empty the poisoned chalice, you should give way to Mr. Lennox Linton and UWP Team Dominica.
skerrit shut up and go to hell……………….
why is MR Skerrit thinks that because his ideologies are not being swallowed by everyone that they are DISHONEST..i take great offence to that statement….cuz he skerrit is no altar boy from what i know..
Supporters of the opposition should be pondering upon these actions. Leaders the call themselves.more like leavers,
Strupes! The Prime Minister stated sometime ago that he was was increasing his majority in the House next General Election. This clearly indicates his desire for free reign without opposition. So what is his problem?
The problem is they are there… and being paid to be there… How hard is that to understand? How about they don’t collect the salaries from the “illegal gov’t”?
This is not about the PM but about we Dominicans. These guys must stop acting like children and step up and represent the people. For christ sake! This is the country’s national budget. The opposition got to respond to it. We need to forget about the bias politics and stand for what is right. Isn’t that the change we seek?
“He said the UWP’s only motivation is to “come into government.””
Isn’t that what politics is all about?
Talking about a making a statement of the obvious.
Thak you
No, getting in Government isn’t what it is about. It is about helping the people and developing Dominica.
Yes… Please tell me how to do this without coming into government in this politically crazy country. What people is the current administration helping? Giving away cans of tuna and pampers to your country’s population is absolute nonsense, and a sure sign that there are MASSIVE problems in your country if people can’t even buy their children school uniforms.
The government needs to stop spending the people’s money on Labour Party and spend it on development of the country both by infrastructure and marketing as a tourism destination (seeing as this is what we are going for).
Total crap, pm. You have no regards and rezpect for the opposition, but your time is drawing near. No rhetoric.
honorable pm what about those in the government system that don’t pay taxes but come 2015 social security going up an there will be no wage increase as you said for the next 3 years . what bout these people no provisions were made for them . which is a lot of them by the way .there salary going to be less
Well – the state of opposition parties in the Caribbean seem to be in a sorry state of affairs but even more so in our beloved Dominica.
The once mighty Freedom Party of Eugenia Charles is well … dead and its current leaders clueless. They should resign and hand the party over to a trustee; or take a leaf from Eugenia and become once again the Freedom Fighters.
The UWP of onetime PM Edison James held a mock budget show at a local theater; no substantive response from UWP made to the budget presentation in parliament.
UWP should quit or take a leaf from the Eugenia led opposition in the 70s. For example – Mamo used her position as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, which the constitution directed must be held by the Leader of the Opposition, to great effect. It gave her the power to demand financial documents from senior public servants which she used to expose misspending by the government. Her rebuttals to the budgets were legendary as she went toe to toe with Vic and John.
But instead the Dominica parliament Tuesday night approved the EC$552.4 million national budget and opposition legislators boycotted the debate on the fiscal package that had been presented to legislators earlier this month.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that as a result of the passage of the fiscal package, more than 500 people will no longer pay incomes taxes.
Lennox Linton claims his budget show will make Dominica the best place to live and work in the world.
Go figure.
The Opposition is being very reckless and irresponsible right now. I wish for change, however, I don’t see anyone who is able to take the place of the DLP. If only the Opposition was responsible and had started their campaign a lot earlier they would not be in this predicament. I dont agree with the bashing of Mr. Lugay, i thought is as low and uncalled for. However, this is no reason to boycott parliament. the Budget especially.
No interest in suffering dominican,have to laught @ this one Skerro,queston to you how rich are you after 14yrs,,how have you helped the farmers,only some get fertilizer,have you addressed the custom officers who steal from the poor,when their families work so hard overseas to send them goods,what about your dictatorship role in the party,if someone speaks out about you they are victimized,look in the mirror.the poor people of dominica will be freed one day.do you run the country or Tony?
How can one run a country by staying out of parliament? No rebuttal to a budget that is going o affect the lives of all Dominicans wether positive or negative. What a shame. Should I be of the belief that they couldn’t respond to the budget hence their lame excuse for staying out. I am so disappointed in these guys landladies. There is no place for such bad decisions at this point in time. I guess they are trying to make our decision as to whom we should vote easier.
why skerrit dun shut up nah
I guess the only people to talk are uwp and its supporters…goodluck to you.
The opposition should be blasting you, Mr PM. . What goes round comes around. ‘Go to Hell!’ Somethings are eating you alive.
This present PM, has been the best for Dominica. Dominicans has turn into a new leaf: the laziest set of people in the Caribbean. LAZINESS BRING POVERTY, and that is where Dominicans have brought Dominica. The PM is not you all scapegoat. Self employ is the best, stop waiting on HANG ME DOWN.
You can’t even spell but you criticizing people… Its your dearly beloved pm that has brought Dominicans to this begging state of desperation. How long ago have you left DA? Do you ever remember DA like that? Reflect on your words and you will find the answer.
good job dno..i guess the garbage he spoke was left out..if those words can come out from the mouth of a leader we suppose to look up to well i rather look down
While I do not agree with the opposition sitting out of Parliament; I can agree and understand the amount of frustration they must feel, particularly when you listen to past presentations in the house and hear how the speaker treats them… I have heard members of the government’s side make snide remarks about them while they are giving their presentations (the opposition).
Unprincipled as their decision is.. I understand the frustration that has been created by a 18 – 3 majority – which means that they cannot even move motions to get any of their plights addressed, they’re outnumbered. I notice its the trend around the Caribbean.
However for the PM to say that they don’t care about the needs of Dominicans is uncalled for and taking cheap shots….
Look, I have been supporting these guys but what they are doing is utter rubbish. You can’t run away every time something doesn’t go your way. The opposition has a duty to remain in parliament and respond to such a budget that is going to affect the lives of all Dominicans. Their action to stay away and inaction in responding to something so important to Dominicans says a lot about their maturity and allegiance to Dominica as a whole. They cannot put their support for one friend over the interest of the country. That is wrong and inexcusable. No lame excuse should stand.
it’s people like you that allow the PM and his Ministers, Speaker, Resident Tony, Lennox Lawrence and other DLP supports that voted PM in power and by doing so he took away the power from you and others, so you have to take the blame also.
Really? Nonsense!
Look at our history. The rough and tumble of our island politics in the 1970s – Mamo Charles and company faced mapui regarding their underwear and other offensive crap, accused of being an elitist member of the “mulatre gwo boug,” called a cold and hard hearted spinster, no access to DBS radio (no other stations like today) etc etc.
The government pass the Seditious and Undesirable Publications Act or as Mamo dubbed it “the shut your mouth bill”. In the October 1970 Miss Charles failed to win her seat with Labour’s 10 to 1 victory. Anthony Moise, as Leader of Opposition followed the constitution of that time which allowed for the appointment of one nominated member on the opposition side and Miss Charles entered the House of Assembly as ‘the 3rd Nominated Member’, appointed on November 12, 1970 – for a 12 to 2 parliament.
Moise and Mamo ignored these jibes of mapui and did the job of the loyal opposition day in and day out – responding to budgets and bills and introducing their own legislation and vision in debates in parliament.
In the general elections of March 1975, Mamo won the Roseau Central seat and became Leader of Opposition on April 7, 1975. Moise won again and new seats Casimir in Grand Bay, Cyrus in Morne Jaune and Stevens in Marigot became the vibrant, vocal and visionary opposition which worked with government – such as its proposal for a President republic versus a Governor General and help draft the present day constitution.
When John, Austin and Vic decided to sell the north with a Klu Klax Klan freeport port plan they opposed it in parliament and in public meeting. PJ then brought back a version of the shut your mouth bill – well then May 29th followed.
With 5 seats to Labour’s 16, Mamo’s four year term as opposition leader was a very active one during a volatile time – (from give the little man a chance with the first female opposition leader, black power movement, dread act, communism threat) – in Dominica’s modern history.
Bit by bit Miss Charles and the Freedom Fighters attracted a broad respect and growing support from a critical mass of the electorate, thus becoming the government in 1980 with 19 seats to Labour’s 2.
Go figure.
I guess we should take Dominica back to the stone age. We are a progressing people and so should our leaders. Everything that you said have one thing in common; HISTORY. They will remain in the history books. Wake up, this is a new generation with new ideas, aspirations and looking forward to taking DA in a new direction. No time to let our emotions lead us but to allow the best decision to prevail and putting DA first.
I believe that some form of punishment should be given to the Opposition for deliberately walking out of parliament. Too long now these guys have been doing that. You mean to tell me something as important as the budget, they guys did not see the importance of debating it.
I strongly suggest that a days pay from these guys salaries should be removed everyday they walk out or stay our of parliament.
well you can suspend them like danny lugay, dotish
“Strongly suggest” really…
With that kind of grammar, who would ever take you seriously about suggestive motions? 
What a ridiculous remark. Well use the Rules of the House like the Speaker to do it.