TCI: Opposition Leader Underwhelmed by PNP Budget; demands rescue for business and more money for nurses

#TurksandCaicos, July 6, 2021 – The Budget was coloured as underwhelming by the Leader of the Opposition, who told the Speaker that he expected a budget that would fix the foundation of the country’s economy still reeling from the blow of the coronavirus pandemic. 

When Edwin Astwood addressed the House of Assembly with his official response to the Budget Address by Premier and Finance Minister, Washington Misick he said he expected a budget that would give salary increases to health care workers, grants to help business to rebound and larger allocations in areas like training.

Hon Astwood said much of the work highlighted in the premier’s presentation did not start on February 22^nd when the Progressive National Party officially took office… he likened the one term administration of Sharlene Robinson, where he served as the Minister of Health as Moses who took the country through the wilderness, but never made it to the Promise Land. 

He said the people of the country put landslide trust in the new government, and with that level of trust, there comes great responsibility.  He said the current budget is not a reflection of a government who has come for the work; he called for the Washington Misick led administration to emulate the UK’s support to business recovery; significant financial help following lockdowns and restrictions precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The new PDM Party leader informed the new government administration, they would be wrong to try to take credit for all of the Covid-19 and Fiscal successes.

It was a recurring refrain as Hon Astwood tossed in some comedy, but brought a serious message which highlighted that the decisions made by the former PDM Administration are reaping results and there is no way, the PNP Administration can take credit for it. 

Trends and Protocols he said came from the PDM; the 3.5 per cent growth in construction came from the PDM; decisions on the vaccine program and roll out, came from the PDM; the TCI Assured program and travel portal came from his PDM government and the reopening of the economy which led to a lower than projected deficit was a PDM decision. 

The former health minister, Edwin Astwood said the PDM Government had taken actions that were coordinated, coherent and comprehensive.  

Likening the Sharlene Robinson led government to Moses of the Holy Bible leading the people through the wilderness, doing all of the hard work and laying the foundation and the new government under Washington Misick as Joshua, who now only need follow through now the country has reached the ‘Promise Land’.