PM defends trip to Vegas instead of voting on VAT

Prime Minister Perry Christie

As of Tuesday, August 26, 2014

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday his presence was not needed to pass the controversial Value Added Tax Bill, therefore he made the “judgement call” to leave the country for business purposes.

Responding to criticisms from the opposition that he “did not bother to vote on such an important piece of legislation”, Mr Christie said he “knew he had the majority” of votes needed to pass the bill before he left for Las Vegas Wednesday night and made the decision to keep an “earlier commitment”.

“As Prime Minister, I have to make a judgement as to whether or not my presence is sufficiently important to remain,” he told reporters yesterday. “I knew we had the majority to pass the VAT Bill. I knew I had personally led the preparation of the country for the VAT legislation, I knew I had met with the private sector with respect to that and I know we have to do more to prepare the government before the January introduction,” he said.

“I am in the process now of solidifying and improving the team and the capacity to deal with the legislation. So my colleagues knew I wouldn’t be there for the vote. I made a contribution and left. Let me say this, I happen to be the lead person when it comes to investments and new innovations in government. We had some very significant meetings, one of which was to meet with the owners of SLS, the new company coming in place of the Mandarin (at Baha Mar) and I wanted to be present to see the new hotel and to encourage them because they are coming in at the last moment to take over property that Mandarin had for years that was being constructed. I wanted to meet with the companies that will not be involved in the new gaming regime and that will give integrity to gaming with the minister responsible for gaming Obie Wilchcombe and we did that. Those are things we had to do.

“I even had the obligation on my birthday to meet with Rick Fox and NBA promoters with respect to major promotion they want to do here, so unfortunately whatever the opposition said it was a political point they make. It is true, I wasn’t there, whether the meaning that they attach to it should be attached, I don’t think so.”

Mr Christie also said he still believes that VAT will not have the negative impact on the Bahamas that the opposition is claiming.

He said: “The fact of the matter is VAT will become law and it will come into effect in January. It will not have the negative impact they say it will have and I will make sure of that. When it comes to the protection of the poor, we are going to have new levels of policing in terms of prices to protect the poor. I will say this again, my concern is really for your safety and my safety and my children’s safety and the people of the Bahamas’ safety. That is my major concern and I don’t want to diminish it.”

Mr Christie was criticised for his absence from the House last Wednesday night when members voted for the passing of the controversial VAT Bill.

The VAT Bill was passed by a vote of 22 to 8. Seven members of the Free National Movement with PLP MP for Marco City Greg Moss voted against the legislation.

Seven members of Parliament, including Mr Christie and Speaker of the House Dr Kendal Major were absent from the vote. Deputy Speaker Dion Smith was in the chair at the time of the vote, but did not vote.

Mr Christie left for Nevada last Wednesday to meet with the Las Vegas Gaming Board on Thursday and to attend last Friday’s opening of the SLS Las Vegas boutique hotel and casino.

FNM Chairman Darron Cash, FNM Shadow Minister for Finance Peter Turnquest and Democratic National Alliance Deputy Leader Christopher Mortimer criticised the Prime Minister for his absence.

Sickened 10 years, 2 months ago

Christie in Vegas for work. Ha! He went there to gamble because he can't gamble in his own country.

SP 10 years, 2 months ago

Idiot does as idiot is...Christie is a joke!

TalRussell 10 years, 2 months ago

PM you're extending your welcoming arms to even more broke tourists. I hope while the Comrade PM was out there in the Vegas desert, trying to protect his legacy by ducking out of the VAT vote in House - he did pay attention to what has now been recognized as a bankrupt Vegas 'gambling' town? PM, why would you fly off to study something that even the casino owners and Mayor of Vegas know to be on its last leg as the premier gambling spot? All Vegas are attracting these days are the same tourists types Bahamaland has become economical dependent upon - the McDonald's Hamburgers and Fries cruise ship's stopovers. Don't believe me -then why has Bay Street become a tourists ghost town when the cruise sips are not in port? McDonald's is the only restaurant still being heavily patronized by tourists Hamburger and Fries affordable pockets.

hj 10 years, 2 months ago

PC cares so much for the poor that imposed a tax that will hurt them the most. Actions speak louder than words.

GrassRoot 10 years, 2 months ago

I hope PM had a good time. 2. I am positive he collected some bragging rights, having cheered to the basketball players, starlets, and having been a VIP of a the owners and officers of private corporation that certainly paid for all the expenses because of their good heart. 3. He should have stayed there - for good.

proudloudandfnm 10 years, 2 months ago

Why would he travel to Vegas to meet with Rick Fox? Or the NBA for that matter?

Perry was partying. Period....

Honestman 10 years, 2 months ago

Mr. Christie, this is something you probably don't understand but it is called leading by example.

jt 10 years, 2 months ago

How can one even pretend to defend something so ludicrous, shameful, embarrassing and downright disgusting? Does he even realise he has a job and the country is in shambles?

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 2 months ago

Wow. So he admits he could have voted but chose not to....WOW I never expected him to admit that....he is clueless and hence extremely DANGEROUS.

SP 10 years, 2 months ago

Really...He actually said that? I didn't bother reading the article and refuse to waste time on anything Christie has to say.

I'm just waiting for the next election to send Christie a clear message that he should GO TO HELL!

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 2 months ago

Yep, I'm completely shocked that he admitted it so flippantly. He doesn't seem to understand the gravity of the bill, personal responsibility and obviously has no idea what LEADING means.

"Christie said yesterday his presence was not needed to pass the controversial Value Added Tax Bill, therefore he made the “judgement call” to leave the country for business purposes"

SP 10 years, 2 months ago

When will he wake up and listen to the electorate calling for an election and realize that he is a failure, finished, washed up, kaput, jackass extraordinaire?

"make the judgement call" and go to hell Christie....Feet first or head first your call!

The_Messenger 10 years, 2 months ago

WHAT?

The leader of the country chose not to show up for one of the most important decisions in the last FORTY years and instead went to Las Vegas to talk about organizing a basketball event? He finally returns and uses an excuse that it was his birthday and that VAT will not harm the poor when the VAT white paper specifically states IT IS A TAX FOR THE POOR.

https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/conn…

Television sitcoms cannot come up with a better script than this.

TalRussell 10 years, 2 months ago

PM what you should have done, and I speak as one who voiced many times for you to be successful in the defeat of the Papa Hubert red regime, was to have been present on the floor of the House when the VAT votes were being cast - cause it would have been a wonderful opportunity to have stood on the floor of the People's House to remind, all Bahamalande'rs that the reds had also opposed the PLP's introduction of the National Insurance legislation -of which no red would want to give up today...but you decided to miss such a chance to head for Vegas desert. PM I just don't understand who you are anymore? Yes, i do understand the "Brave's" and the Pot cake's of the PLP - cause they is the same as they were before 2012. PM you let me down.

asiseeit 10 years, 2 months ago

He says VAT will not affect the poor. That is understandable, the poor will still be poor, there just will be allot more of the poor when the entire middle class is downgraded to the poor section. I thought I was solid lower middle class a couple years ago. No longer today, I am hardly holding on and have cut out any and all spending that is not considered necessary for basic survival. It sucks to live in the Bahamas in this era!

birdiestrachan 10 years, 2 months ago

Mr. Christie has a right to celebrate his birthday. We all do. He had already done the work necessary to pass VAT and he knew it would be at passed. The opposition will blame him for VAT if he voted for it or not . As for Dr. Minnis and his worn out tales about Mr. Christie not being able to make a decision AS difficult as they may try to make VAT he made the decision, other. decisions he made the Sir Lynden Airport, Bahmar , Bakers in Abaco and Albany and many others. The Dr: knows.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. CHRISTIE GOD HAS BLESSED YOU.

SP 10 years, 2 months ago

From one confirmed jackass to another confirmed jackass.....LOL

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 2 months ago

Well said

Honestman 10 years, 2 months ago

Birdiestrachan - you are behaving like one mindless apologist for Perry Christie and the PLP. The Prime Minister should have been in the House to cast his vote - plain and simple. How can you even try and defend his absence?

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 2 months ago

Actually I think birdie is 100% correct. I think the PM left when he did because he had to attend a planned birthday party in Vegas. He has proven over and over again that he has no comprehension of the serious responsibilities of his office. Going home to sleep while the country burns fits right into his pattern. thank you birdie for bring the birthday celebration to light.

asiseeit 10 years, 2 months ago

Birdie, you better stop idolizing your master, Christie. It is the year 2014 not 1967 and the PLP are the new slave masters. The Sunshine Boys have taken over from the Bay St. Boys and lets face it, regular Bahamians are the indentured servants. Sorry to take the blinders off but that is what it is today.

The_Messenger 10 years, 2 months ago

You are correct birdie, everyone should celebrate their birthday but Perry Christie is also the Prime Minister of the country and he must put the country first above all else. If he does not have his priorities straight and continues to be irresponsible he should step down or be forced to step down.

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