Delivering her opening address at the ceremonial opening of the Parliament on Monday afternoon, President Christine Kangaloo advocated for greater efforts to showcase the work of the Parliament, outside of debates.

Her Excellency acknowledged that much of the public has a knee-jerk cynicism towards all things and persons related to the Parliament and said education can create a new narrative.

“Even with respect of the more familiar Tuesday and Friday sittings, Parliament staff is always working, including in the way of assisting members with research on their various presentations. It was by no accident, and it is to our country’s credit, that during the Covid-19 pandemic our Parliament was able to adapt more quickly than many and put in place mechanisms that allowed us to continue sitting safely throughout the length of the pandemic. It is, I think, this lack of appreciation of all that our Parliament really does that allows the cynicism in our society about the institution to rear its head and fester,” President Kangaloo said.

Even so, Her Excellency acknowledged that at times, the cynicism felt by the public is not misplaced, as she reflected on the behavior of officials when conducting the People’s Business.

“Some of the cynicism surrounding Parliamentarians has certainly been earned. We do not always conduct ourselves in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House or of the Senate. Truthfully, sometimes we descend to depths of which we should be ashamed,” Her Excellency lamented, noting that the work of elected Parliamentary officials is fundamental to the well-being of the society.

Monday’s opening ceremony also saw four new Independent Senators taking their oath of office, having been handpicked by President Kangaloo. 

They are 2018 Calypso Monarch Helon Francis, career journalist Sunity Maharaj, Professor of Psychiatry, Gerard Hutchinson and multidisciplinary artist, Dr. Sharda Patasar.