Government yesterday outlined a 6 point plan to deal with the country's debt crisis and the Social Security scandal. But today the Opposition said: "it's not enough".
A statement from the UDP criticizes the government for refusing to authorize an independent inquiry into Social Security's finances. The UDP is recommending a Commission of Inquiry headed by the Chief Justice who would be accompanied by an independent commercial banker, and what the party calls "a forensic accountant." As for the government's call on the Opposition Chair of the Public Accounts Committee to hold hearings into Social Security, the UDP scoffs at that, noting that the committee is comprised solely of politicians, without the benefit of the social partners, and moreover the committee though chaired by a UDP is controlled by members from the government side.
The UDP's release also notes that any senate hearings would also have that taint of majority representation from the ruling party. And what about those Senate hearings? Well, Senator Godwin Hulse, with the signed support of 6 other Senators wrote to the President of the Senate on August 19th requesting that a select committee hold hearings into Social Security. Hulse asked President Phillip Zuniga to respond by August 30th. But up to today no response has been forthcoming.