The Tribune

OPPOSITION MP Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday claimed that the Christie administration has to date shown gross incompetence in the handling of the referendum that seeks to regulate the numbers racket.

Bahamians, she said, still have no clue of what voting “yes” or “no” could mean as the government has, at every opportunity gone back and forth, changing its next course of action on the matter.

Mrs Butler-Turner said this is evident as Prime Minister Perry Christie had first claimed that a national lottery question would not be included during voting. He has since announced that a lottery is now being considered.

More importantly, she said the government had decided upon a December 3 referendum date knowing that a general cry for more information had been voiced and that the proper legislative steps had not been taken.

“This entire disaster is being led by the Prime Minister of our country no less,” Mrs Butler-Turner said, “who is a lawyer himself, who has been in parliament for nearly 40 years, including first as a senator, and who has full legal policy making resources of the country, the Cabinet and foreign advisors at his disposal. Yet he and his government have not gotten it right in the least.”

“All over the country, the Bahamian people are calling this the government of flip-flop, and the prime minister, the great flip-flopper. Many are wondering when the government’s position will change again.”

The MP further criticised the government for failing to consult the FNM when the previous Ingraham administration sought the opinions of the then opposing PLP.

Mrs Butler-Turner urged the government to engage the public in an open, honest dialogue that will cover material which discusses the various forms of gaming in a fair and transparent process.

“There has been no comprehensive debate on the various forms of gambling inclusive of a national lottery and casino gambling for Bahamians and residents. If we are going to have a debate, let’s have one that is open, honest and comprehensive. “

The present legislation, she said, being debated has from the start been characterized by a lack of due diligence, process, care and consideration.

“It was only after promising and after referring to a referendum about 22 times in a previous communication to this House that the government finally realized that there may have been no legal process or authority for such a referendum. Never mind that he and his deputy are attorneys, and that his cabinet is filled with lawyers,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.