And before we close tonight we have one more bit of parliamentary jousting between the Prime Minister and Patrick Faber. On the adjournment, Faber presented the Moody's Investor Service's review of Belize's fiscal performance. In it, Moody sharply downgrades Belize's rating yet again which basically tell the international investor community that Belize is a present risk. Faber says the report points to fiscal indiscipline and dishonesty, the Prime Minister said, no such thing.
Hon. Patrick Faber, Collet Representative
"Every single week you hear of a new scandal busting, busting, the scandals are busting; every single week almost Madam Speaker. So for us to sit and pretend that they are not happening, and it is getting into the hands of the international community and it is affecting the economy of this country. And Madam Speaker the Moody's report tells you its opinion of why it is tough for that set of people over there to do it. Madam Speaker the Moody's report says that they lack the will to do it and it says that every chance they get, they overestimate the revenues and they underestimate the expenditure. That happens every time, every time we come to a budget. So it all boils down, what Moody's is saying, it all boils down to a matter of credibility which they do not have."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"We're not spending out time moaning and groaning and droning like that particular member on that side of the House, the Opposition benches. He spends all his time moaning and groaning. What is he doing about trying to help the situation, except to complain he doesn't have enough money to spend in the Collet division? That is all he does every time.
The Moody's report did not come as any surprise to anybody. We had the Standard and Poor's report before. Moody's, being another rating agency, simply followed suit. Obviously somebody gave him some notes and the Moody's report read in the House. But I am sure all the members on this side of National Assembly have already read the Moody's report."
[Patrick Faber Talking in Background]
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Shhh. Shut your mouth, please."
Elizabeth Zabenah,
{To Faber} "Now, now. You are interrupting....But you had your turn. I am telling you to be quiet."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I did not interrupt you one moment member for the Collet division, obviously you are all hyped up. You might get an aneurysm if you don't behave yourself. Please we don't want that to happen to you."
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
