Ministers Joseph Harmon’s and Volda Lawrence’s reluctance to provide answers to the public regarding recent controversial actions is at odds with at least two provisions of the Code of Conduct for government ministers, which the David Granger administration is yet to officially implement.
On the ‘Ten Principles of Public Life,’ the code highlights accountability. “Public office holders are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions, and must submit themselves to scrutiny and criticism,” it says. On transparency, the Code says “Ministers should be open about all their public decisions and actions and be prepared to provide explanations when so demanded by the public.”
The code of conduct was promised by the coalition government within the first 100 days in office. In the plan it was promised that the Code of Conduct would be established for parliamentarians, ministers and others holding high positions in
