Senator Abka Fitz-Henley has described as a double standard the decision by at least three Opposition senators who are over 62 years old to seek to block the Government’s move to increase the retirement age for the Auditor General and the Director of Public Prosecutuons (DPP) from 60 to 65 years old.

The government senator was responding to strong opposition to the move from Senators Lambert Brown, Donna Scott Mottley and Peter Bunting in the Upper House of Parliament on Friday.

In supporting the bill which was approved in the Senate on Friday, Fitz-Henley reasoned that the Government was taking steps to bring Jamaica in line with the established retirement age for the DPP and Auditor General in many Caribbean islands and other areas of the Commonwealth, which he noted has been between 65 and 70 years old.

“I wish to advise Jamaica that there is nothing unlawful about what the Government is doing. We are following the process and ensuring there is uniformity and that Jamaica is aligned with the retirement age best practice in the region for both office holders”, Fitz-Henley told the Senate.

He said he was disappointed by submissions made by some Opposition senators during the debate.

“Look, I’ve listened closely to debate on this matter and was saddened. I’ve heard some politicians among the Opposition ranks – age 62, 66 and one very much near his 70s, arguing against two outstanding Jamaicans, one in her early sixties and showing no sign of slowing down, being allowed to further serve their country and build on their track record of credible service,” Fitz-Henley commented.

Fitz-Henley highlighted that the Government, as a matter of policy, had increased the retirement age of judges from 65 to 70 years old a few years ago. He suggested that the Opposition was displaying double standard in its current resistance to the bill which seeks to extend the retirement ages of the DPP and Auditor General.

“I ask the question what gives us politicians the right to say to these office holder, including Judges, the DPP and Auditor General, that look here we can serve as legislators as long as we want but you see you now, enough of you at sixty. I don’t like to use the word hypocrisy too often Senator Wehby but when I heard the submissions of members of the Opposition, the word came to mind. The truth is the posture may be interpreted as betraying a certain semblance of being marinated in self indulgence and double standard. A posture which I submit should not be countenanced as we deliberate laws in the people’s Parliament”, Fitz-Henley declared.

Earlier, Senator Scott Mottley said she was hopeful that Fitz-Henley, who she said recited the oath of senatorial office from memory a few weeks ago, would vote against the bill which paves the way for an amendment of the constitution.

Senator Scott Mottley and her colleague opposition senators on Friday accused the Government of not consulting the Opposition in making the legislative maneuver.

The bill was approved when government senators used their majority to secure its passage.

Opposition senators however signaled their intention to challenge passage of the bill in the Constitutional Court after voting against passage of the draft legislation. Brown had repeatedly called for a divide when the bill was being voted on.

The bill is expected to be passed into law after it receives the signature of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen early next week.