The Government is moving forward with plans to relocate the Senate in the Sessions House, according to Michael Dunkley.

Delivering the budget brief for Non-Ministerial departments at the House of Assembly yesterday, the Premier said that $2 million has been earmarked in the budget for work on the Sessions House in the coming year, including moving Senate Chamber to the building, the installation of 100 new windows and a new air-conditioning unit.

“The infrastructure of the Sessions House needs significant attention because it’s years old and members are acutely aware of the challenges we face,” he said.

In response to questions, he said that the work would be conducted by staff at Works and Engineering. Meanwhile, discussing the budget for the Parliamentary Registrar, Mr Dunkley noted the coming General Election and the resulting push for voter registration as a predicted expense.

He also reiterated that the Registrar was moving forward with proposals to introduce online absentee voting for students and those who may be overseas for medical reasons during the election period.

“We will start testing equipment in April this year,” he said, adding that the move is hoped to increase voter turnout among those between the ages of 18 and 25.

And he said the Boundary Commission is completing its assessment of constituency boundaries and their recommendations are expected to come before the House this month.

David Burt, Leader of the Opposition, questioned the OBA about where it stood in regard to Sage Commission recommendations that the number of seats in the House of Assembly be reduced, along with the proposed creation of three Joint Select Committees to examine issues relating to the various ministries.

“In our view increasing the oversight leads to better decision making for the people of this country,” he said.

Mr Dunkley later responded that there were several Joint Select Committees that have been tasked with investigating important issues such as establishing a living wage who have yet to deliver a report to the House.

Mr Burt also asked the Premier his view on the non-binding same-sex marriage referendum, which he said cost $351,000 but failed to deliver an official result due to low turnout.

Meanwhile, Lovitta Foggo questioned what controls were being prepared for online voting, saying that while she fully supports the concept of giving more people the right to vote, online voting carries a “high risk” of voter fraud.

Mr Dunkley did not respond to all of the questions before the preset time for the debate concluded, but he said he would attempt to provide the opposition with the answers.