The first meeting of the Legislative Assembly for 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The first meeting of the Legislative Assembly for 2012 was held on Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 3.58 pm with a suspension for lunch between 12.45 pm and 2.00 pm. 

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Alice Maude Buffett, Ross Evelyn Westwood and Frederick Cain (Clerk to Parliament of Nauru)

Answers were provided both to questions without notice and on notice.

The following papers were tabled:

1)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett - Virement of Funds Advice

2)         Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan – Traffic (Amendment No. 6) Regulations 2011

3)         Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – Norfolk Island Fishing and Marine Report – January 2012

4)         Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Letter from Simon Crean MP dated 19 December 2011 a) responding to Chief Minister’s letter of 7 October 2011 concerning Protection of Norfolk Island’s Cultural Heritage; and b) responding to Chief Minister’s letter advising of motion of the House on 5 October 2011 requesting consideration be given by Minister Crean to the appointment of an eminent person to oversee Norfolk Island reform process.

Statements were made by -

1)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett who read a letter from Hon Simon Crean MP dated 19 December 2011 (see paper 4 above)

2)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Norfolk Island Public Service Review and its twelve recommendations

Debate ensued on the motion moved by Mr King that the statement and paper be noted

3)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and a further visit to launch the Tribunal’s jurisdiction, including officers from the Australian Information Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Attorney-General’s Department

Outcomes for matters on the Notice Paper which were debated are as follows:

1)         The House agreed the appointment of Megan Honor Adams to the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau Advisory Board

2)         The House having agreed a motion to suspend so much of standing orders as would prevent the House from considering a motion on the notice paper titled Citizens Initiated Referendum, such motion seeking amendment of the law relating to the compulsory wearing of seat belts., the House debated the motion which was negatived on the calling of the House.

3)         The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 was called on and further adjourned as an Order of the Day for a subsequent day of sitting

March sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 7 March 2012 at 10 am.

To read the Notice Paper, Programme and Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf. Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 3 February 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com