Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn says Government Senator Lucille Moe’s appearance in the Senate last week for the first time in eight months “does not clear the problem” related to the constitutionality of her prolonged absence.
Moe was in her seat Wednesday and contributed to debate on a land resolution when the Senate held its 13th sitting.
While giving her support to the resolution, she also suggested accommodation should be made for senators to contribute to debate remotely in the current COVID-19 environment.
Her attendance followed repeated excuses of absence submitted to President of the Senate Reginald Farley, which led to Franklyn suggesting to Farley that Moe’s seat should be declared vacant in accordance with that section of the Constitution which sets out conditions under which such a declaration should be made after a continuing absence beyond six months.
“My understanding is that your seat should be declared vacant if you miss six months and she missed eight months,” Franklyn told the Sunday Sun on Friday.
“So my opinion of her turning up and making a speech, complaining that there is no remote [provision to remotely participate in meetings of the Senate] does not fix anything or does not explain or does not give an apology for anything.
“The action should have been taken already, and she should not have been allowed to speak in the Senate,” Franklyn suggested.
Repeated calls to Moe and to Farley have gone unanswered. (GC)
