New Standing Orders Enable Citizens to Propose Matters for Discussion in Parliamentary Proceedings

January 22, 2026 — Following Parliament’s approval earlier this week to expand the THA quorum and establish additional divisions, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) convened today for the first time in the 2026–2030 term. The historic session, held at the Assembly Legislature in Scarborough, introduced groundbreaking amendments to the Standing Orders designed to deepen democracy in the absence of a formal Minority Leader.

In a move described as the “People’s Parliament,” motions were brought forward by Councillor Adanna Joseph-Wallace and Assembly Member Keigon Denoon to establish a digital platform allowing members of the public to directly submit proposals for motions to be debated and questions for Secretaries. This initiative ensures that even with a 15-0 sweep by the Tobago People’s Party (TPP), the voice of the citizenry remains central to legislative proceedings.

The sitting also formalized critical structural changes enabled by the Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill 2026, which was passed in the Senate just two days prior. Key highlights of today’s proceedings include:

• Increased Quorum: Under a motion by Assembly Member Darren Henry, the quorum of the House has officially been increased from nine to twelve members to reflect the expanded membership.
• Executive Council Reform: The “artificial cap” of seven Secretaries has been removed, allowing Chief Secretary Farley Augustine to appoint additional Secretaries to better manage specialized portfolios such as Planning and Development.
• PAC Oversight: Councillor Petal-Ann Roberts moved to amend Standing Order 79, allowing the Chief Secretary to appoint a non-executive member as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the absence of a Minority Leader, ensuring continued financial accountability.
• Gender Neutrality: The Assembly has officially transitioned to the gender-neutral term “Assembly Member,” retiring the outdated “Assemblyman” title.

Chief Secretary Augustine noted that these reforms mark the beginning of a more modern, efficient, and transparent governance model for Tobago.