The Premier announced yesterday that PATI legislation will be one of the first topics on the parliamentary schedule in November.
That’s nice.
Bermuda has been waiting for the promised freedom of information bill for a long time. The whole process behind Government’s efforts have been pretty stretched out and secretive – which goes against the whole concept of a transparency law!
It is not good enough that this law be drop kicked through our rubber stamp parliament fait accompli. It’s too important to leave to the politicians.
The complete law must be exposed to the public in an advance consultation, and advice solicited from outside experts in freedom of information such as CHRI and Article XIX.
Cayman, Barbados and many other countries have chosen this route – maximizing transparency and public feedback. Let’s hope Bermuda does this right.
And shucks, the public education about PATI rights should begin today. If we are committed, let’s start!
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