Debate will resume on Wednesday 30 September, with the prospect of even more than the 20-plus amendments tabled so far being added to.
But members of P&R were successful with every amendment that they supported or opposed, and potentially looked like they had enough support among colleagues to fly in the face of public sentiment and win the backing for a GST.
‘I think it is clearly a majority in favour [of the P&R package],’ said treasury lead Charles Parkinson last night.
‘We just need to get this done.’
P&R president Lindsay de Sausmarez agreed that her package probably had majority support within the States this week.
‘Obviously I’ve been having conversations, it’s probably a bit of a mug’s game to try and speculate on any exact numbers, but I do feel as though we had a decent amount of understanding and support for the proposals. Most amendments haven’t been successful, certainly the substantive ones that would have knocked out the original propositions.
‘At the end of the day it will come down to what we’re voting on.’
Many members were frustrated at the speed of proceedings but allegations of filibustering – prolonging debate with unnecessary speeches – were denied by the anti-GST lobby.
Deputy de Sausmarez said she welcomed the level of engagement shown by the public as the debate neared, culminating with more than 200 protestors seen on Wednesday morning outside the Royal Court.
‘One of the things that the extension does do is it gives us an opportunity to have more conversations with people. I’ve had some really good conversations on the court steps, and people people have been interested in detail that they’re maybe not very familiar with before, and where relevant, I’ve invited people in to have a more detailed conversation about the areas that interest them or concern them.’
She said it was premature to suggest that the senior committee might yet attempt to alter its own package before debate restarts in September.
‘But it is fair to say that it gives us an opportunity to take stock of where debate has got us so far.’
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