Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on the opposition to examine its own financial record before demanding a commission of inquiry into government matters, citing what he described as millions of dollars lost through tax write-offs and uncollected revenue during previous administrations.
Speaking on his weekly Browne and Browne Show, Browne said the opposition had “no moral authority” to demand inquiries while failing to account for its own handling of public finances when in office.
He claimed that “about $15 million” was lost through past actions involving “write-offs, tax waivers, and money left uncollected,” describing it as a major contributor to the country’s fiscal challenges.
Browne said those now calling for transparency “should first answer for their own record” before seeking investigations into his administration’s operations.
The prime minister’s remarks came as opposition figures renewed calls for an independent probe into government procurement and other financial decisions. Browne dismissed the calls as politically motivated and said his administration has implemented reforms to strengthen oversight.
He pointed to Cabinet-approved procurement processes and tighter control of duty-free concessions under the Ministry of Finance as examples of measures designed to ensure accountability.
Browne said his government’s “national reset” initiative is focused on improving governance, rotating long-serving board members, and enforcing greater transparency across statutory bodies.
The opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), led by Jamale Pringle, has continued to press for inquiries, saying they are necessary to restore public confidence. Browne, however, maintained that his administration’s record demonstrates a stronger commitment to fiscal responsibility than those who came before.
