The Premier was forced to amend a bill on airport commercial leasing agreements after the Opposition accused Government of a lack of transparency.

The Civil Airports Amendment Act 2009 was one of a handful of bills Progressive Labour Party MPs who are out to oust Ewart Brown threatened to oppose unless it was amended.

As initially written, the Act gave the Minister of Transport the authority to enter into lease and letting agreements for up to 21 years without the approval of MPs or Senators. Commercial leasing agreements can cover shops and food outlets at the airport.

Dr. Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport, said the amendment was necessary to bring the Minister's powers in line with that of Government landowner, the Minister of Works and Engineering.

He said the move would also "improve efficiency" in commercial agreements.

But an Opposition backlash in the House of Assembly led to Dr. Brown decreasing the 21 years to five, through an amendment on Friday morning.

Opposition MPs however, still voted against the bill, arguing it did not give Parliament the oversight over contracts and leases at L.F. Wade International Airport.

A vote resulted in The Civil Airports Amendment Act 2009 being passed with 19 Government MPs in support and 13 Opposition MPs against. Government MPs Randy Horton and Zane DeSilva were absent, as was Independent Wayne Furbert.

Presenting the bill, Dr. Brown said leases could sit for up to 30 days in the House of Assembly and then another 30 days in the Senate.

"In these ever-changing economic times we as a Government must be in a position to respond much more expeditiously," he said.

But Shadow Transport spokesman and Deputy Opposition Leader Trevor Moniz said: "This House should have oversight on contracts and leases at the airport."

Grant Gibbons, Shadow Minister for Education, added: "This is a move in the wrong direction in terms of transparency."

But Walter Roban, Junior Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, said: "We need to create an environment at that airport that can ensure business is done quickly, efficiently and to the business of everyone concerned."

Opposition MP Charles Swan responded: "Business can be efficient but governments need checks and balances, and one of the checks is this House.

"In the interests of transparency the people need to know what is going forward."

The Premier moved the bill be committed, but with an amendment to reduce the 21 year term to five years, "in the interests of transparency".

The House approved the amendment. However, Dr. Gibbons said: "It's better than 21 years but it's still missing the oversight and transparency we on this side of the House feel is necessary."