Falkland Islands debates and prepares for the development of the oil industry
A public debate on the future of the Falkland Islands in the face of income from oil exploitation is required rapidly, according to a Member of the elected Legislative Assembly.
“We as a government and society have to start making things happen”, said MLA Gavin Short in his speech to the Motion for Adjournment at the meeting of the Legislative Assembly.
MLA Short revealed that the Falklands’ government was hiring specialists to give advice but a public debate on the new situation was needed.
“We must get the best advice on fiscal matters that we can. There must and will be a socioeconomic study done so that we can get a handle on just what the impact will mean to our community”.
In terms of infrastructure required MLA Short drew attention to funding having been allocated into the alternative water supply, but “we may have to beef up roads and areas for dumping spoil environmental protection”.
In a veiled observation of the situation and the local reaction MLA Short described the Falklands’ government and the private sector as being, “a bit tight-fisted,” the result being that local workers had moved to the oil industry.
He said, “Even if government does the correct thing and ups its wages it looks like we will need to import labour.”
MLA Dick Sawle said: “The future is a bright one for the private sector who as we have already seen are ready to invest amounts that the government simply doesn’t have, take risks that the government simply can’t take, and assume a far larger role in our society as has ever previously been the case.”
MLA Sawle added that “just like the private sector we will have to increase capacity and skills within the government to deal not only with things like legislation and regulation but also the capacity to deal promptly with policy making, ensuring that we have the right information and frameworks in place to deal with matters like immigration, on to inward investment to mention but two of many”.
MLA Jan Cheek also noted that taxation legislation had already been examined by a specialist, but cautioned that the government should not be, “railroaded,” into rushed changes to legislation. (Penguin News)
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41 comments Feed
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If you want to know what to do - call Kuwait - they have their house in order.
A majority of Argentinians are Malvanistas .... therefore ... ergo...QED ... etc...
> Can we stick to insulting Malvinistas please?
I'm sure there will be one along in a minute.
Its a shame that serious debate is spoiled by the ravings of a complete idiot like Gustbury....
How exactly are we losing time and Money Gustbury? Under Argentine rule we'd all be on the bones of our arses and the Falklands would be a poor, disadvantaged Argentine province with no oil industry (as there's no way Argentina would ever get it's act together enough to develop it) just the ruined remains of what was once prosperous fishery, agriculture and tourism industries.
Tempting but no thanks.
Aug 03rd, 2012 - 08:32 pm
Just keep reporting the daft old Walt.
16 War Monkey forgive the ignorance but whats a Walt?
The only saving grace is that for every Conquerer there is a Pirat-Hunter or a Tobias so it balances out. Any statistician would disregard the scores that these gentlemen score on both sides as spikes against the trend.
Aug 03rd, 2012 - 09:40 pm
Walt = A Walter Mitty. Somebody desperate to be seen to be something that he or she isn't. Somebody living in a fantasy world. A bit like a Malvinista really. They get so carried away with it that everybody else notices the make believe long before the Walts realise that they have been rumbled. It is a term often used unofficially by British soldiers to describe the literally thousands who have stood at bars with a thousand yard stare who will regale you with stories of their time in the SAS if you stand within 2 paces of them. They can often be seen in public waring full dress uniforms only it all turns out to mix and match and badly fitted.and they are usually a little too rotund to affect the demeanour of a genuine serving soldier.
A Walt.
His purpose is to give balance to the force.
Fair enough but he talks a lot of shite and when he starts saying he's an army officer I draw the line. He's an army officer just like I am an international number one best-selling paperback writer living in the Falklands under my real name. Nobody has any idea that I am really Lee Child.
War Monkey got it spot on when he said Walter Mitty.
As for the main story. I think FIG is wise to be cautious until we are 100% sure that the black stuff is going to flow in huge amounts. But when it's confirmed they need to be ready to act fast. Improvements to the roads is a high priority as is the deep water port.
After all of the main things get sorted out I hope the MLAs remember about the HCS. Remember it was only reduced to zero, not done away with. Before you tell me I'm being selfish, I'm all in favour of means testing it which would rule me out of contention but it would be good to make it available for those who need it.
I will say this, just to add to your woeful ignorance. The time is coming when argieland will run out of “peaceful” or “democratic” methods in its attempt to force Britain and the Falklands to give in. Where will YOU be then? I have made my position and attitude clear in the past, but I'll restate it. Give me a suitable weapon, adequate ammunition and a flight and I'm quite willing to be there. I believe in MY country and the rights of the Falklanders! My bet is that you'll be sitting in your armchair or lying on your couch watching on TV. Not to mention deciding what to “endorse”.
I wonder if you will ever have the moral courage to admit when you are wrong?
@22 Are you afflicted with “the argie disease”? You know what I mean. Fabrication and mendaciousness.
You numbskull. 'Say your piece' or 'say your peace' are both correct and both have different meanings. I meant to say “I've said my peace”.
FFS!
Chuckle chuckle.
“Give me a suitable weapon, adequate ammunition and a flight and I'm quite willing to be there. I believe in MY country and the rights of the Falklanders! ”
Suitable weapon? Water pistol then. I doubt you would be able to fight, don't forget all your infirmities that prevented you from joining up in 1982 to fight. It's been 30 years since then, so you will no doubt be old and infirm now.
You would be a liability to any fighting force:
1. You're not fit enough to fight due to your self confessed numerous infirmities.
2. You don't know anything about weapons and tactics, you just think you do.
3. You have no discipline.
4. You don't know when to keep your mouth shut.
5. You have no honour.
6. You are a coward.
That about sums it up. The UK forces and the Falkland Islanders don't need or want help from the likes of you. You don't speak for Britain, you don't speak for the Falkland Islanders, and you certainly don't speak for the British Armed Forces whose honour and sacrifice you spit on when you 'pretend' that you have served.
You have no honour, you are a coward and you certainly don't have the 'moral' courage to admit that you talk bollocks most of the time.
If you want to emulate the Armed Forces try living by their core standards and values.
Selfless commitment
Respect for Others (including the enemy)
Loyalty
Integrity
Discipline
Courage
If you try to live by these standards you will become a better human being.
However with a little training and a little encouragement with the stick and a carrot they do become capable of cleaning ones toilet.
Your post isn't big, clever or amusing.
Maybe you'll end up like Argentina after the Menem/de la Rua “private sector” experiment. And I will be in solidarity with the ordinary people who stand up to any neoliberal attacks
#1 Import a couple each, then they can excercise their self determination =)
#2 Kuwait WAS a nasty neighbour, drilling diagonally under Iraq to siphon off its oil. Of course Iraq was wrong to invade but what has been done ever since to the people of Iraq who were no more represented by the dictator Saddam than the Argentines were by the dictator Galtieri has been one of the biggest crimes of this or the last century. It sounds like you approve, I don't. My view is more mainstream in Britain these days
#11 You must be meaning #9!
Are they planning to boil penguins for oil again?
You sound very jealous.
The Falkland Islands Government is right to take its time and decide on what is best for the whole population.
When the black gold starts flowing, they'll be able to develop their islands as never before. They are already financially independent, but oil will be the icing on the cake.
By the way, is the Argentine government still grovelling to the Chinese in the hopes that they'll invest in YPF?
I'll be surprised if China invests, but if they do, CFK better not try and rob them. Remember, unlike Spain, China has teeth, and could bury Argentina if they felt they had been cheated.
Shhhh! Grown ups talking.
Thanks to Islander and Guzz for your support.
Conquerer, say whatever you like but may I suggest you say it about 500 metres south of Brighton Pier. LOL!
To misquote Voltaire “ I dont approve of your ideas, but I will defend your right to express them to the death”
So Queensberry rules from now on?
As I understand matters you can “say your piece” and “hold your peace”.
Anyway why no news on MercoPress about Noble Energy. Announced earlier today the partnership of this excellent US Company with FOGL is a significant step forward for both the Falkland Islands and South America.
www.facebook.com/Britain1592
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