~Cites decades of alleged License Misuse.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- During a recent parliamentary session, Member of Parliament Darryl York delivered a compelling address to the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, raising significant concerns about the long-standing issue of "minister's discretion" and its role in alleged license infractions spanning over two decades.
The MP began by acknowledging the ongoing discussion of current licensing issues but quickly broadened the scope, arguing that the problem is systemic, larger than any single minister or administration. The core of the MP's argument centered on the concept of ministerial discretion, a recurring theme in government that allows ministers to make decisions not strictly defined by law.
"Two words come to mind: minister's discretion," the MP stated, recounting previous debates on the topic. While acknowledging that not every government action can be legislated in black and white, the MP argued that an over-reliance on this discretion has led to questionable outcomes in various sectors, including taxi and bus transportation, condo development, lotteries, and casinos.
To support this claim, the MP revealed that they had reviewed a printout of issued licenses dating back to 2000. This review uncovered several startling examples of alleged favoritism and abuse of power. The MP detailed specific instances, which included:
- A former minister allegedly issued a dozen licenses to a close family member during a moratorium.
- A member of the past Council of Ministers is procuring a license for their 12-year-old child.
- A politician's company (BV or NV) holds eight licenses.
- Another politician possesses over 20 licenses.
The MP contrasted these examples of enrichment by the powerful with the current debate, which focuses on licenses granted to individuals who may not have previously had economic opportunities. "We are here discussing... those who didn't have and now have the means to make a dollar," the MP noted, "but we are glossing over the facts of those who already had and used their influence or power to enrich themselves or close family members further."
The address served as a powerful call for accountability, urging fellow politicians to look inward and address past transgressions instead of focusing with "tunnel vision" on present-day issues involving ordinary citizens. The MP emphasized that an infraction is an infraction, regardless of who commits it, and questioned why politicians are often excluded from the same level of scrutiny.
In closing, the MP thanked Minister Heyliger-Marten for her presentation, calling it an "eye-opener." The member expressed a desire for concrete action to close loopholes that could lead to the misuse of ministerial discretion. The goal, the MP asserted, is to prevent future administrations from facing the same cycle of debate over alleged misuse of power, ensuring a fairer and more transparent system for all.