House: Pati fee legislation goes up for debate
Legislators are to consider imposing a charge on certain public access to information requests today in the House of Assembly.
The Bill, which drew criticism from the Opposition this week in the Senate, would limit time spent responding to requests and provide for ”payments for requests where processing by the public authority exceeds this”, according to Crystal Caesar, the Minister of the Cabinet Office.
Ms Caesar has said certain types of requests have diverted resources from essential services, with the burden keeping some public bodies from properly fulfilling some of their roles.
Fireworks are set for today’s session as MPs consider the Tourism Investment (Swan Pyrotechnics Limited) Order 2024.
They will also debate the Tourism Investment (Rosedon Hotel) Order 2024.
A housekeeping item is on the list with the Contributory Pensions (Amendment of Benefits and Validation) Act 2024.
The House is also set to debate the Payroll Tax Amendment (No 2) Act 2024, offering breaks to taxi drivers and minibus operators.
No legislation is expected to be tabled today, with the House to sit twice more in December before the Christmas break.