Opposition Senator calls for more time to scrutinise legislation before Parliamentary approval

October 30, 2026

Is Parliament being given enough time to properly examine the laws it is being asked to pass?

That question was raised during today’s sitting of the Upper House, as Opposition Senator Ramon Small Ferguson challenged the Government’s approach to the introduction and passage of legislation, particularly when pressing deadlines are involved.

Senator Small Ferguson is calling for Bills to be circulated with sufficient time for scrutiny and debate.

He argued that giving members only days to examine proposed legislation risks undermining the very purpose of Parliamentary oversight.

The Senator raised the concern amidst discussions on the resolution to approve the Virtual Asset Service Providers (Licensing) Regulations.

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He said the legislative review process takes time, and that members should be given a reasonable opportunity to properly examine the provisions before them.

He also pointed to previous instances in which Bills were brought before Parliament under tight timelines.

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While acknowledging that demanding legislative timetables are often a feature of Government, the Senator stressed the need to distinguish between genuinely exceptional circumstances that require urgent action and situations in which the rush can be avoided.

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In response, Government Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon agreed that such situations should not become the norm, but said members must also be prepared to exercise flexibility.

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