On Friday you heard the prime minister say that the PUC is drafting an SI in order to freeze rates in the telecoms sector - perhaps to provide consumer comfort as the idea of a monopoly is being proposed. An SI means that, unlike a bill or an amendment, it does not have to go to parliament.
The PM told us it was basically already a done deal, but today the AG explained that in most circumstances, his ministry would be in charge of drafting an SI. But up until this morning, he told us the matter hasn't been brought to him yet.
Anthony Sylvester, AG
"I preface your question just as I indicated we act on instruction, so we haven't been provided with any request for anything. So I can't speak to what that you're speaking about."
Reporter:
"The PM said they would move to do that by this week."
Anthony Sylvester, AG
"But what I can say is that this matter relating to BTL Telemedia will be discussed at Cabinet tomorrow. Cabinet has not had the benefit of discussing this matter, so I would not wish to comment any further until we've had an opportunity as a cabinet to be able to look at the matter collectively."
Reporter:
"How does the Prime Minister, as Prime Minister, take part in such discussions, given that it's his family who part owns a smart?"
Anthony Sylvester, AG
"So the discussion will take place tomorrow at cabinet. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. Your question presupposes that the Prime Minister will take part in discussions tomorrow. I don't know, I don't know what will take place tomorrow, and I can't guess what will take place."
"I don't want to go down what could potentially be a rabbit hole."
