.....BIOGRAPHY
AUDLEY FITZ-ALBERT SHAW
Audley Shaw, 53, has a broad-based background in the field of Economic Development, Finance and Political Affairs.
He has been serving as Member of Parliament for North East Manchester in Jamaica since 1993, after serving for four years in the Senate between 1989 and 1993.
Mr. Shaw received the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Journalism, with graduate studies in Marketing, Finance and Economics from Northern Illinois University .
Economic Development
In 1981, Mr. Shaw joined the Government-owned Jamaica Promotions Limited, a company dedicated to the promotion of investment in Jamaica by companies from Jamaica and overseas.
During the 1980s, Mr. Shaw was responsible for the Company’s marketing and overseas offices. This initiative led to the establishment of hundreds of private businesses in Jamaica , including over 50 Apparel manufacturers from the United States , Hong Kong and South Korea .
This resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs in the Jamaican economy and helped lead to annual average GDP growth of 6.0% between 1986 and 1990, growth rates not seen in Jamaica since that time.
Political Experience
Mr. Shaw has served in Jamaican politics since 1986. Over the 19 years of service, he has served in many capacities.
Parliamentary Service
In addition to his service in the Senate and being the sitting Member of Parliament for North East Manchester since 1993, Mr. Shaw has served as Shadow Minister for Information & Culture, Public Utilities and Transport, and Industry and Commerce.
Mr. Shaw has served as Shadow Minister of Finance and the Public Service since 1997. Since 1995 he has also served as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, the watchdog of Government expenditure.
An Anti-Corruption Crusader
Mr. Shaw has been a consistent and persistent crusader against corruption in the Public Sector.
This has led to changes in laws related to the management of Public Bodies, requiring greater accountability from these agencies. His activism has also triggered significant dismissals and resignations in the public sector.
A Good Governance Crusader
In several major speeches in Parliament and overseas, Mr. Shaw has consistently advocated ‘Good Governance’ as the only basis to deliver vital services to the people of Jamaica .
He has severely criticized the government of the People’s National Party for mismanagement and corruption that have led to 70 percent of the national budget being absorbed by debt servicing. This has led to a severe deprivation of services to the people of Jamaica , in critical essential services such as Education, Health, National Security, Fire Services, Road Maintenance and Disaster Relief.
Mr. Shaw has addressed conferences and audiences in numerous locations overseas, including the United States , Canada , Kenya , Malaysia , Japan , Hong Kong , South Korea , England and the Caribbean region.
Mr. Shaw has served as General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party and now serves as Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, with responsibility for 14 constituencies in the parishes of St. Ann , Clarendon and Manchester .
The Jamaica Labour Party is the constitutional Opposition Party in Jamaica , and has 26 seats in the House while the ruling PNP has 34 seats in the Parliament.
DEFINITION OF RESPECTIVE ROLES
Member of Parliament – North East Manchester
Mr. Shaw has served as the Member of Parliament for North East Manchester since 1993.
This constituency is one of four in the parish of Manchester . Mr. Shaw was born in Christiana, the capital of the constituency. He also attended Primary and High schools in the constituency.
Under his leadership in the constituency, many major projects have been implemented. These include the restoration of minor water supply systems, and the imminent start of a major water supply system for the Christiana/Spalding area. The restoration of many communities and farm roads, the construction/repair of some 20 Basic schools, in cooperation with the Christiana Potato Growers Cooperative, he is now establishing a tissue culture facility with 20 Greenhouses to produce large volumes of clean, disease-free planting material for sale to farmers.
The priority plants that are targeted include ginger, sweet potato, Irish potato and Leftman cocoa.
Shadow Minister on Finance and the Public Service 1997-present as Shadow Minister on Finance and the Public Service, Mr. Shaw has the responsibility to speak on all matters related to the National Budget, Public Debt Management, Tax Administration, Financial Policy and Administration, Macro-Economic Policies, Economic Development, as well as the Management of the Public Sector.
Chairman – Public Accounts Committee of the Jamaican Parliament 1995-present
As Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Mr. Shaw presides over the annual review of expenditure of the National Budget of the Government of Jamaica and all its departments and agencies. This includes the detailed review of the Report of the Auditor General of Jamaica and special reports and investigation into matters that impact on fiscal prudence in the administration of government.
Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party
As Deputy Leader, Mr. Shaw has overall responsibilities for 14 constituencies in the parishes of St. Ann , Clarendon and Manchester . These include constituency representatives as well as representatives to the Local Government Parish Councils (Municipality).
General Secretary – JLP
Mr. Shaw had responsibility for the administration of the Jamaica Labour Party, including the organisation of all constituencies island wide.
Chairman of the Public Relations Committee – JLP
Mr. Shaw currently serves as the new Chairman of the Public Relations Committee that is charged with the responsibility to develop effective communications strategies to ensure that the JLP forms the next government of Jamaica .
Accomplished Public and Motivational Speaker
Mr. Shaw received a Speech and Debate Scholarship to attend Northern Illinois University .
While at the University, he competed in numerous inter-collegiate competitions in debating, Extemporaneous and impromptu speaking at the regional and national levels in the United States , and received many awards for outstanding oration.
The late Professor Carl Stone, writing in a newspaper column described Mr. Shaw as one of the top three political communicators in Jamaica . Professor Stone also identified Mr. Shaw as one of those qualified to lead the Jamaica Labour Party and Jamaica as Prime Minister.
Some Subjects Covered
- Strategies for Effective Governance
- Investment Promotion in Jamaica
- The need for an Educational Revolution in Jamaica
- Joblessness and Crime in Jamaica
- Rural Economic Development in Jamaica
- Caribbean Single-Market and Economy
- The Potential for Agro-industry in Jamaica
- Off-Budget User Fees in Jamaica .
