Opposition will resist any change to NHT Act, says Shaw

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

The Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, says the Parliamentary Opposition is prepared to block any attempts by the Government to bring legislation to allow it to take funds from the National Housing Trust (NHT).

Addressing a People's National Party meeting in Manchester yesterday, Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips said the government was ready to counteract a lawsuit aimed at preventing the Administration from taking $45 billion from the Trust.

Phillips indicated that he is willing to take to Parliament, a motion to make changes to the NHT Act, to allow for the drawdown, saying the government needs the funds.

But Shaw has described the finance minister’s utterance as distasteful and arrogant.

He says the Opposition does not support what "a raid" on NHT funds, and says it is ready to resist any action by the government to dip into the Trust.

The Opposition Spokesman on Finance says the NHT surplus should be used to fill the housing needs of contributors.

According to Shaw it’s unfair that contributors pay over huge sums to the NHT but continue to live in less than desirable conditions.

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