Amendments to FID legislation passed by Upper House yesterday despite concerns from Opposition Senators

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

“Government policy is not equivalent to party politics” Gov Senator rejects concern that language in FID Bill could allow political interference

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

Yesterday’s shooting along Chisholm Ave left 4 including cop wounded; St Andrew South police say incident unfortunate, unnecessary

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

Renewed call made for revised national school grooming policy that removes final decision-making power from school administrators

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

JTA back to negotiating table this morning as it seeks answers on salary concerns

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

“We will find you!” – Portland Police Chief says JCF has capacity to carryout thorough probes into bomb threats and make arrests

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

JPS says Cold Front winds cause outages in several areas; restoration works already started

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

Trough and another Cold Front to influence weather across Jamaica

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

JTA concerned about probes into bomb threats; Portland Police apprehend minor linked to recent school threats

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More

Jamaicans taking measures to manage cooler temperatures associated with strong cold front impacting the island

The Bill to amend the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act was passed in the Upper House yesterday, despite concerns from Opposition Senators.

The amendment seeks to enhance the FID’s operational independence and comply with international standards of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAT-F)

The Egmont Group facilitates secure international information exchange to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and associated financial crimes.

Addressing the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the amendment addresses deficiencies identified by the Egmont Group, specifically boosting the FID’s autonomy in investigating financial crimes.

While Opposition Senators broadly accepted the objectives of the Bill, there were concerns, especially regarding the consistency with a government policy clause, which they argued could potentially allow for political interference.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, called for the removal of the term “government policy”.

This proposed amendment was rejected by Johnson Smith.

The amendments are expected to be given assent by the Governor General, then gazetted into law.

Read More