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Visiting British envoy discusses trade opportunities, security 

Improving matters relating to trade and security between St Kitts and Nevis and Great Britain were the main agenda items, during the first official visit of Barbados-based British High Commissioner to the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Scott Furssedonn-Wood.

The High Commissioner met with the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Ministers in the Federal and Nevis Island Administration and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, among others.

Furssedonn-Wood noted that he came here with colleagues to look at different aspects of the relationship between both countries, and the various things the United Kingdom and St Kitts and Nevis can do in the future. 

“It is a longstanding relationship. Our countries have been friends for a very long time. We know each other well, our people know each other well. Our people come here on holiday, people from St Kitts and Nevis come to the UK to study and see their family. We have a very vibrant diaspora of Kittitians in the UK, but the partnership is about being forward-looking and how we can help each other in the world in the things that matter to us.”

He said one of the aims of the visit was about building a relationship that brings mutual benefits, with trade being a big part of that. 

“We don’t spend British aid money here in St Kitts and Nevis because you have graduated from eligibility for aid; you are too wealthy of an economy to be given aid money.”

He reminded that now there is a new economic partnership between the UK and countries of CARICOM dubbed Cariforum.

“There is a need to use that to get trade going and prosperity moving back and forth.

“There are British companies that can help with all sorts of challenges that your government is facing, and opportunities your government want to address.”

The envoy said he met with Minister of Education Jonel Powell, and among the discussions were educational opportunities. 

“We already have our Chevening scholarship – which is our flagship British scholarship programme – that has some fantastic students from St. Kitts and Nevis that have been successful in getting scholarships to study.”

Furssedonn-Wood added that there will be more opportunities in the future. 

“There are other opportunities for our educational systems to work together…to do great work here in support of your government’s ambitions, whether it is through developing capacity and content, or providing remote learning opportunities so that people in this country can study in British Universities for a degree from the comfort of their homes here.”

He noted that he was interested in finding new ways to work together. 

“Security is an important area of cooperation. Our national crime agency and other security agency work very closely with the RSS in the Eastern Caribbean to build capacity, and to provide support in relation to threats to your own security as well as threats to our own security in the UK.

“We are keen to find more ways to do that; more ways to increase cooperation.”

He reiterated that trade could provide those opportunities as well.

“The whole field of climate change is a really good one. We just hosted COP26 in the UK. We have the presidency of COP for the coming years, and would want to use our presidency to champion the voices of small island developing states. 

“We know countries like St Kitts and Nevis are on the frontlines of climate change. We want to stand with countries like St Kitts and Nevis. We want to work with you around adaptation to climate, and finance available internationally that helps small island states become climate-resilient. We want to work with international systems to ensure your voices are heard. The voice of St Kitts and Nevis is heard loud and clear, because you have a strong credible presence on the world stage.”

The post Visiting British envoy discusses trade opportunities, security  appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Citipointe Christian College principal stands down following anti-LGBTQIA contract

The Citipointe Christian College principal has stood down following the backlash over an enrolment contract condemning gender diverse and homosexual students issued by the school.

Principal Pastor Brian Mulheran issued a statement to parents on Friday night saying he had decided to "stand aside and take extended leave in order to reflect on what has transpired and provide the College community time to heal".

"Our intention was only to offer families a choice about how their children are educated, and to be open and transparent about our religious ethos that guides the way we teach and care for students," the statement said.

READ MORE: Former student speaks out about Citipointe Christian College

https://twitter.com/JoshBavas/status/1489572662070300672

"I am heartbroken that, by doing so, our college, and our community have suffered so much."

"I have been devastated talking to our students who have suffered hurtful and hate-filled verbal assaults simply because of their beliefs or for attending the college."

Mr Mulheran apologised for discriminating against students through the enrolment contract.

"I am sorry that some students felt that they may be being discriminated against at Citipointe," he said.

"We would never discriminate against any student on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity."

READ MORE: Deputy PM says he offered his resignation following leaked texts

Citipointe Christian College Principal Brian Mulheran.

The Head of Primary, Ruth Gravestein, will step into the role of Acting Principal.

It comes after the school earlier this week revoked the enrolment contract after severe backlash including an online petition protesting the contract which attracted more than 154,000 signatures.

The school said families would no longer be asked to sign and agree to the contract in order for their child to be enrolled in the college.

"We deeply regret that some students feel that they would be discriminated against because of their sexuality or gender identity, and I apologise to them and their families on behalf of the College," Mr Mulheran said on Thursday.

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Former Citipointe Christian College student has weighed in on the "destroying" contract condemning gender diverse and homosexual students issued by the school.

"The College does not and will not discriminate against any student because of their sexuality or gender identity. It is central to our faith that being gay or transgender in no way diminishes a person's humanity or dignity in God's eyes."

Former students and parents responded to the school's decision to revoke the enrolment contract, stating the damage had already been done.

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Hamilton: Social Security at 44 remains strong 

As Social Security in St Kitts and Nevis celebrates its 44th Anniversary, Minister Eugene Hamilton has said that the fund remains strong despite many challenges, and remains resilient for all in times of need. 

Delivering an address on Tuesday, 1st February 2022 –  the 44th anniversary of the St Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board’s establishment – Hamilton reflected that over the last 44 years, Social Security has solidified itself as the premier pillar of society, providing pecuniary benefits to the insured in situations such as sickness, maternity, employment injury and in old age, amongst others. 

“All insured persons can rely with confidence on the ability of the Social Security Fund to pay benefits. This could not be achieved without the appropriate measures for sound financial management and administration.”

He reminded that apart from the fund’s primary objective to pay benefits, it has demonstrated time and time again its thrust to ensure the sustainability of the economy, through its various corporate social responsibility programmes. 

“Annual donations to health and national security, capital investment in local development projects, support to youth programmes and NGOs, all add value to the core function of social security.

 “A major show of solidarity in 2020 was the initiation and rollout of the COVID-19 Relief Fund, where over 8500 persons were provided with the COVID-19 grants to the tune of over $23 million.”

Hamilton revealed that in 2021, Social Security again stepped up to support families whose income was further interrupted by the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, in St. Kitts and Nevis. 

“Social Security in collaboration with Ram’s Supermarkets and Valu Mart provided financial support of $275,000 in food vouchers through the Food Vouchers Initiative of the Ministry of Social Services and NEMA. This level of support is outside the usual scope of Social Security benefits, but it underscores the importance of Social Security, not only in normal times, but also in times of crisis.”

Hamilton said that although there are growing challenges of a maturing fund and the intricacies of changing demographics, Social Security “continues to grow and maintain the fund as a strong and resilient safety net for all who depend on the fund to meet its obligations”.

“As responsible administrators of the fund, it is equally important to improve upon the current financial infrastructure; implement transformational reforms aimed at increasing the longevity of the Fund, and continue to be a reliable corporate partner through the next 44 years and beyond.”

Hamilton said that going forward it is important to reflect on the past, and move ahead with renewed vigour to advance the products and services provided by Social Security

He also revealed the figures of some of the work done by Social Security in 2021: – 659 New Age Pensioners guaranteed monthly benefits; 88 New Invalidity Claimants guaranteed monthly support; 145 New Survivors Pensioners approved for monthly benefits including spouses, dependent parents, and children, and a total benefit expenditure for the year amounting to $120,816,494.68.

 “Not only do these figures magnify the level of support to the insured in times of need, it also underscores the equal importance for both employers and the self-employed to remain compliant and meet their obligations to the fund. It requires all hands on deck, dutifully committing to the long-term goal of financial soundness and sustainability. Any other approach would be counterproductive,” Hamilton stated.

 He also urged all stakeholders to pay keen attention to their social security matters and to ascribe to their rights and obligations as insured persons.

 “I pray for God’s continued blessings on the fund, the administrators, the Economy, and our government and all of our people, so that the mission to provide the best possible benefits is achieved for generations to come.”

The post Hamilton: Social Security at 44 remains strong  appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Deputy Prime Minister says he offered his resignation following leaked texts

The Deputy Prime Minister said he offered his resignation following the text message leak calling the Prime Minister a "hypocrite and a liar", but Scott Morrison did not accept it.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Barnaby Joyce said he "should never have written the texts".

"When it came to light a couple of days ago, I rang the prime minister immediately," he said.

"I offered my resignation and he did not accept my resignation."

READ MORE: Scott Morrison facing electoral defeat, Newspoll shows

Deputy Premier Barnaby Joyce

"That, in itself, is a statement of a person of greater character."

However, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said it was untenable for Mr Joyce to continue as Deputy Prime Minister.

"This isn't a government. It's a shambles full of dysfunction and disunity," he said.

"It's a shambles which isn't looking after the interests of Australians because they are obsessed by their internal hatreds and dysfunctions."

Mr Albanese questioned Mr Joyce's claim his opinion on Mr Morrison had changed since the text message was sent.

"That was after Barnaby Joyce had served in the cabinet for over half a decade alongside Scott Morrison," he said.

"The idea that this was just a flippant remark is simply untenable."

Anthony Albanese at a press conference

Mr Joyce once again apologised to the Prime Minister this morning for the texts.

"I don't blame anybody but myself, but I never expected it to end up in the public realm," he said.

Mr Joyce said his view from the backbench was one of "assumption and commentary, not from a one-on-one working relationship" which has since changed while working with Mr Morrison.

Mr Morrison published a statement this morning saying: "Barnaby approached me this week to inform me of these text messages."

"He sincerely apologised and I immediately accepted his apology in good faith."

"I understand Barnaby was in a different headspace last year, both professionally and personally, and so I know he genuinely no longer feels this way."

"Relationships change over time. Politicians are human beings too. We all have our frailties and none of us are perfect."

"Since coming to the role of DPM, it is fair to say that we both positively surprised each other. We were never close before this and never pretended to be."

"But in these roles we have really found our rhythm, as we have concluded AUKUS, settled our climate change policy and continued to fight the pandemic."

It comes as The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported last night that Mr Joyce was on the backbench when he sent the text to Brittany Higgins via an unnamed third party on March 22, 2021.

READ MORE: Victoria records 41 deaths while NSW reports drop in COVID-19 cases

Ms Higgins, a former Liberal Party staff member, leaked Mr Joyce's message after the Deputy Prime Minister this week called for an anonymous Liberal minister to reveal themselves after their scathing criticisms of Mr Morrison in private texts with former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian were made public.

The SMH and The Age report that the message to Ms Higgins from Mr Joyce stated: "Tell BH [Brittany Higgins] I and Scott, he is Scott to me until I have to recognise his office, don't get along.

"He is a hypocrite and a liar from my observations and that is over a long time.

"I have never trusted him and I dislike how he earnestly rearranges the truth to a lie."

Mr Joyce said on Friday night that he had "unreservedly apologised" to Mr Morrison and that it was "common knowledge" the pair had not always "seen eye to eye".

"In the last 24 hours I have become aware that a screenshot of a text message has been circulating among third-parties that contains comments I made in March 2021 when I was a backbencher," Mr Joyce said in a statement.

"While the text message was supposed to be private, what I said in that message was wrong; and I have unreservedly apologised to the Prime Minister for my comments.

"It is common knowledge that in the past the Prime Minister and I had not always seen eye to eye.

"But I have worked extremely closely with the Prime Minister over the last seven months since I returned to the role of Deputy Prime Minister; and the Prime Minister is a person of high integrity and honesty in what is possibly the most difficult job in the nation."

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The leaked Mr Joyce text message comes after journalist Peter van Onselen put to Mr Morrison during the Press Club lunch on Monday details from a private text message chat between Ms Berejiklian and the unnamed current Liberal cabinet minister during which the Prime Minister was described as "a horrible, horrible person", a "fraud" and "a complete psycho".

Mr Joyce said the following day that the unnamed minister should come forward.

"I would suggest that if you know anything about this, don't wait to be outed, out yourself," he said. "And give an explanation."