The court ruling that the National Assembly acted “unlawfully and unconstitutionally” by effecting cuts to the 2012 budget estimates is to be respected but remains subject to the right of appeal and it is for the National Assembly to determine and direct the way forward.
“The right of the National Assembly to approve, including the right to amend budgetary estimates, is a long established right. This Ruling by the Hon. Chief Justice is an interpretation that would have far-reaching ripples and effects throughout the Commonwealth parliamentary systems and procedures,” Parliament Office said in a statement yesterday. Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said that until the ruling is set aside by another court, the ruling must be obeyed.
Delivering his long-awaited final decision, acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Wednesday declared that the National Assembly acted “unlawfully and unconstitutionally” by effecting cuts to the 2012 budget estimates, after finding that its power is limited to either giving or withholding approval. According to Justice Chang,