Opposition Leader Kim Swan yesterday urged Government to lead by example and introduce a public access to information law swiftly.

The new United Bermuda Party Leader's response to last week's Throne Speech put great emphasis on the importance of transparency and the need for Government to open up to the people it serves.

His call comes just weeks after The Royal Gazette launched its A Right to Know: Giving People Power campaign, which is calling for PATI legislation to be tabled in Parliament in 2008 and is backed by former Premier Alex Scott.

We also want to see quangos, other publicly funded bodies and parliamentary committees opened up to the people and for the Government to give the public answers which they have the right to know.

Mr. Swan told the House of Assembly that his party would fight for "sound, responsible and democratic government" and insisted that politicians had to lead the way.

He said: "The Government wants to modernise the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's to reflect good governance. But do we reflect good governance in this legislature?

"Do we have freedom of information? Do we guarantee equal access to government contracts through open tendering?"

Mr. Swan pointed out that all the committees of the House of Assembly — which look at private bills, public accounts, rules and privileges, House and grounds, the Office of the Auditor and the Register of Members' Interests — meet behind closed doors.

"This is contrary to widespread modern parliamentary practice and contrary to the recommended benchmarks for democratic legislatures," he said.

He said if Government wanted to modernise the two corporations and introduce a press council to regulate the Island's newspapers — both measures announced in the Throne Speech — it needed to look at itself first.

"On this question of modernising the corporations, we have an opportunity to show leadership first; to lead by example," he said. "The Premier talks about a code of practice for the press, but what about a code for legislators?

"Shouldn't we have a written code of conduct to which parliamentarians are expected to adhere and by which they can be judged by the public? To lead by example."

The Progressive Labour Party rejected a call from the Opposition for an MPs' code of conduct in 2006.

Mr. Swan added: "The Government remains at odds with itself on the whole question of good governance, which is about making government more transparent, more accountable and more responsive.

"While the Government suggests a framework of good governance to the Corporations of St. George's and Hamilton, it avoids such measures for itself.

"Indeed, the push from some of its own MPs for freedom of information has been met with a vague proposal for a press council, which in other countries is associated with censorship and control rather than the free flow of information."

The UBP leader said that by giving the Island much-needed freedom of information, whistleblower protection and anti-corruption legislation, the Government could really lead by example.

Later in his speech, Mr. Swan accused Government of failing to give out details on the number of overseas visitors attracted by expensive events organised by the Department of Tourism.

"Major local events that attract a buzz, such as the Music Festival and the PGA Grand Slam, do not seem to be translating into more visitors.

"But we don't know because we are not getting the information. This is a question of truth and accountability."

* Do you agree with Mr. Swan? Do you want to see a PATI bill tabled in the House of Assembly this year? Send your views to arighttoknow@royalgazette.bm or call 278-0155 or 8359.