In a letter to the JEP, Senator Kristina Moore and Deputy Kirsten Morel – president and vice-president of the Chairman’s Committee respectively – have again criticised the introduction of new boards designed to advise on policy. Chief Minister John Le Fondré believes his initiative will increase inclusiveness within the States.
However, Senator Moore and Deputy Morel have said using Scrutiny Panel members to fill the policy development boards ‘blurs the line’ between the States and the executive. Among their concerns are that PDBs would lead to a duplication of work and resources, reduce the pool of Members who can fill Scrutiny positions and lack transparency as minutes from meetings are not likely to be published.
Since being elected Chief Minister in June, Senator Le Fondré has been working to introduce PDBs, made up of backbench politicians, to advise ministers. The first PDB is already in place to review potential alternative sites for the future hospital.
In the letter, Senator Moore and Deputy Morel say Scrutiny is already ‘ideally placed’ to support and contribute to policy development through its reviews and recommendations. It said: ‘Scrutiny, like parliamentary committee work across the world, is an integral part of the machinery of government – neither an optional extra nor a “nice to have”.
‘A “critical friend”, it is the predominant way the States Assembly – representing the public – holds ministers to account objectively and transparently for their decisions. The ultimate objectives are to influence and improve government policies, legislation and public services and offer a unique platform for community engagement and influence in the political decision-making process.’
The Scrutineers added that if ministers engaged fully with the Scrutiny process then there should be no need for further review panels. They said: ‘It is not the principle of these boards we object to, we appreciate the intention behind them.
‘Our objection is with the insistence of the Chief Minister on using Scrutiny members, rather than existing government ministers and assistant ministers and knowledgeable members of the public, to initiate or test policy ideas. Not least for the sake of clarity and good governance.’
