Opposition Senator Anita Haynes has defended her party’s lack of support for the Bail Amendment Bill, denying criticism that it was fueled by political malice.
Her defense comes after Attorney General Faris Al Rawi called for public outcry in support of the Bill, after it was shot down in the Parliament in early May.
The Bail Amendment Bill, in part, seeks to deny bail for up to 120 days, for people arrested on firearm offences.
Senator Haynes said inferences that the Opposition was attempting to undermine the government’s effort to tackle crime is simply not true and said the records will show that they have supported “good” legislation in the past, again arguing that the bail bill undermines the rights of those it targets.
She made the comments while speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, as the Opposition brought a Private Motion to condemn what it says is government’s failure to tackle crime.