Cox: Nothing clandestine about retreat

WHILE the Cabinet retreat on Wednesday had not been publicly announced beforehand, there was nothing clandestine about it, said Communications Minister Donna Cox. “We spoke about the plans and programmes in our ministries,” she told Newsday on Thursday. “We shared what was happening in each of our ministries, so everybody would know what is happening. It was an information-sharing exercise.” The retreat was a whole day event at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's.

Cox said Cabinet retreats happen from time to time. “At different times we would normally meet to share information.”

Newsday asked if the retreat was done to guide ministers to make their individual submissions and suggestions to the Ministry of Finance ahead of the October 7 national budget. “That did not arise,” Cox replied. “That (submission) would have happened a long time ago. From my ministry the submission was sent even before I was appointed as a minister.”

She said the Government does not operate on a “now for now” basis.

Cox personally welcomed the retreat. “As Minister of Communications, that is very good for me, as I needed that knowledge to know a little more about each ministry.”