GOVERNMENT OF SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN ITS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO ADVANCE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 19, 2025 (SKNIS): Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthening good governance, accountability, and national development through an ambitious and productive legislative agenda that has delivered impactful reforms across multiple sectors.

During his presentation on the 2026 Budget on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the attorney general outlined the tremendous legislative progress achieved by the administration over the past year.

“We maintained a robust legislative agenda, as you would know, Madam Speaker, and the people of this country would know, because we came to this National Assembly 15 times this year, prior to this Budget sitting, and we debated and passed 22 impactful new laws to reach 87 in three years,” said Attorney General Wilkin. “It’s not just about numbers, Madam Speaker, it’s about the impact.”

AG Wilkin noted that the legislative record reflects a government that is both progressive and people-centred. Among the major laws passed were the Vehicle Road and Traffic (Amendment) Act, which is already contributing to safer roads; the Pensions (Amendment) Act and the GAE (Amendment) Act, both of which significantly improved benefits and security for civil servants and government auxiliary employees.

Other important legislation included the Prison Act, which introduced stricter penalties for prohibited items in correctional facilities, and amendments to the Integrity in Public Life Act, which strengthened mechanisms for transparency and accountability.

Attorney General Wilkin highlighted the Plastic Waste Reduction Act as a standout achievement, describing it as “a big hit and very important for our country to show that what we are doing is part of the new movement in this world to protect our world for future generations.”

The government also modernised its national security framework through laws such as the Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record Act, which facilitated the introduction of the Federation’s new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, allowing for seamless travel, while maintaining robust security controls. Additional laws passed included the Extradition Act, Proceeds of Crime and Asset Recovery Act, Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, and the Anti-Proliferation (Financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction) Act—all of which enhance Saint Kitts and Nevis’ compliance with international standards on crime prevention and financial integrity.

Attorney General Wilkin further noted that the National Lotteries Act and the Gaming Control (Amendment) Act lay the groundwork for new avenues of economic diversification, while the Housing and Social Development Levy Act supports the implementation of the new minimum wage by allowing workers to take home a larger portion of their salaries.

AG Wilkin reaffirmed that this strong legislative output reflects the government’s ongoing mission to modernise the legal framework, strengthen institutions, and ensure that every law passed is in the best interest of the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

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