In a heated Senate session, Attorney General Ryan Pinder launched a sharp critique against the Free National Movement (FNM), accusing the opposition party of adopting a contradictory position on the recently passed Smuggling of Migrants Bill. Pinder revealed that the FNM had previously developed comprehensive asylum legislation during their administration, directly contradicting their current opposition stance.
The controversial legislation, which cleared the House of Assembly without opposition support earlier this week, received Senate approval amid intense debate. Pinder defended the bill’s provisions, emphasizing that it specifically targets human smuggling networks rather than establishing asylum frameworks.
FNM leader Michael Pintard has vowed to repeal the legislation if elected prime minister, a promise that Pinder characterized as politically disingenuous. The Attorney General presented evidence showing the Minnis administration’s 2021 draft Nationality Immigration and Asylum Bill, which included detailed asylum eligibility criteria, refugee unit establishment, and asylum seeker rights protections.
Pinder disclosed that upon assuming office, the Davis administration encountered the FNM’s drafted asylum legislation ready for parliamentary tabling. The current government rejected this proposed bill, consistent with their policy position on asylum matters.
Opposition senators dismissed Pinder’s revelations as irrelevant to the current debate, with FNM senator Reuben Rahming labeling the arguments as ‘misleading’ and former Cabinet Minister Darren Henfield questioning the document’s authenticity since it was never formally presented to parliament.
The Attorney General remained steadfast, presenting Cabinet documentation indicating the previous administration had requested a final draft of their asylum legislation. Pinder concluded that the opposition lacks consistent policy commitment and moral standing on migration issues, asserting they are unprepared for governance.
Regarding the newly passed legislation, Pinder clarified that it maintains existing state authority under the Immigration Act while enhancing tools to combat criminal smuggling operations that exploit vulnerable migrants.