#JaBudget2017: Shaw bashes Phillips as MPs trade harsh words

Finance and the Public Service Minister Audley Shaw has castigated his Opposition counterpart Peter Phillips for claiming that the Government has transferred wealth from the poor to the rich with its tax reform measures.

In closing the Budget Debate in Parliament, Shaw questioned whether the beneficiaries of the government's tax give back, such as nurses and civil servants were rich?

IN PHOTO: Western Westmoreland MP Wykeham McNeill

As Shaw rejected Phillips' pronouncements parliamentarians on both sides of the aisle traded harsh words.

IN PHOTO: Central Kingston MP Ronald Thwaites 

The finance minister charged that it was member of parliament for Kingston Central Ronald Thwaites who accused the People's National Party administration for carrying out the "greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich".

IN PHOTO: West Portland MP Daryl Vaz

The shouting match would continue for almost two minutes leading House Speaker Pearnel Charles to hammer his gavel to restore order.

He demanded that members on both sides of the parliamentary divide conduct themselves with decorum so that Shaw could make his presentation without being disrupted.

IN PHOTO: West Kingston MP Desmond McKenzie seeks to restore calm

But Thwaites would again be ticked off by Shaw.

"How you suh chatty-chatty today?" Shaw asked Thwaites.