Gail Alexander

Crime fighting legislation to “intercept communication” and legislation to ban cell-phone use while driving will be presented during next year’s new Parliamentary session, Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George said yesterday.

Speaking at yesterday’s Lower House sitting, Annisette-George listed various legislation which would be brought to Parliament in the new session.

Parliament was due to take the Christmas break after yesterday’s sitting. The end of the first year—and the first session— of Parliament will be next Wednesday December 17.

Parliament had convened on December 17, 2007 for the start of the new five year Parliamentary term following the November 4, 2007, general election.

Yesterday, Annisette-George highlighted some of the legislative reforms expected in the projected period.

Among these is a package of Criminal Justice Reform legislation in which she referred to legislation to “intercept communications.”

On Thursday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning was asked about legislation which governed the use of wire-tapping in law enforcement.

Manning had said the Government was contemplating its approach.

Manning had added: “Whether wire-tapping is going to be a tool that could be advantageous to us is a matter that we will have to consider...If we believe that it will be advantageous to us then we will come to the Parliament.”

Yesterday, Annisette-George also noted other projected legislation including the Breathalyser Regulations as well as legislation to address criminal gangs, firearms and private security companies.

Legislation to institutionalise the Special Anti Crime Unit (Sautt) will also be introduced.

Ahead too, is legislation to deal with HIV-Aids and address discriminatory practices encountered by citizens with this condition.

Legislation coming

• Legislation governing the T&T International Financial Centre
• Amendments to the Central Tenders Board strengthening the present public sector procurement regime.
• New Education Act
• New securities act modernising the securities market and regulatory regime
• Legislation to regulate credit unions.
• Electronic Transactions and Data Protection Bills
• Amendments to the Evidence Act, Criminal procedure act, Sexual Offences Act and Indictable Offences Act
• Transport Authority Bill, Highways Authority Bill.
• Bill to decentralise social services
• Land Adjudication Bill and Regulations, Registration of Titles To Land Amendment bill, Land tribunal Bill.
• Local Government decentralisation Bill.