Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday called on the Public Service Commission to refer the decision by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to veto its appointment of Michelle Ann Austin as director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to the court for determination. "Today I call on the Public Services Commission to take this matter to another arm of the State, the Judiciary, for and interpretation of the use of the veto," he said. Rowley said the country would only advance after the Judiciary was able to examine the conduct of those office- holders to determine whether that veto was to be used for favouritism or to select the best officer.
Addressing his bi-weekly news conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, Dr Rowley said the Prime Minister had no basis for vetoing the appointment of Austin.
He said she was displaying "blatant favouritism" towards the acting director, Susan Francios, who was appointed earlier this year. Rowley said Persad-Bissessar behaviour was oppressive. He added: "This position requires an originating summons from the court to find out whether in fact that behaviour of the Prime Minister meet with the letter and the spirit and law of Section 121 of the Constitution." Rowley said that latest development would make the Opposition give serious consideration to whether it should support the Government in anything in the future.
He said, based on the way the People's Partnership was governing the country, the Opposition may have no choice but to refuse to support the Government in the future. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan announced Francois' appointment in February this year. Rowley raised concerns about the appointment, saying the Constitution provided for the PSC to make the appointment. After the commission sought legal advice it was determined that Francios' appointment was not lawful.She was allowed to continue acting pending the appointment of a substantive candidate. Austin was later chosen but her appointment was vetoed by Persad-Bissessar. She told Parliament last week her veto was not based on anything against Austin.
She gave a list of reasons why she vetoed the appointment, including the fact that Francios was doing a good job, which she said was critical to this country's improved status with the Financial Action Task Force which seeks to eradicate international money laundering and terrorism-financing. But Rowley said the reasons given for endorsing Francois were not the basis for vetoing Austin. Rowley said a veto matter involving former prime minister Patrick Manning and two public officers was lost because Manning did not give them a chance to be heard. He said that incident and the one involving Austin had no connection whatsoever. He added: "Today we accuse the Prime Minister of favouritism and the capricious use of the veto, not to ensure that the office get the best appointee.
"This is unfair. It is wrong and it must not be tolerated by citizens of Trinidad and Tobago." Meanwhile, chairman of the commission, Christopher Thomas, said he was unaware of Rowley's call. He said the commission had informed Austin of the PM's veto. Thomas said that was all he was prepared to say on the matter yesterday.