From the Office of the Speaker 19 October 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

5th Commonwealth Youth Parliament - London, UK - December 2012

The Norfolk Island Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (the CPA) was invited, by CPA UK Branch and the CPA Secretariat (the organisers), in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, to nominate one or two young people to represent our Legislature at the 5^th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) in London, United Kingdom, 4 – 8 December 2012.  The 5^th Commonwealth Youth Parliament will offer all CYPs a wonderful opportunity to debate topical issues facing the Commonwealth and show how their generation might approach parliamentary politics.

I am delighted to advise that Miss Chelsea Evans has been successful in gaining a place.

Expressions of interest were called for through Your Parliament Your Voice over two editions and as is this Office’s usual practice, we also contacted Norfolk Island’s young people who we knew to be residing in England or Europe at this time. Regrettably those we contacted were unable to attend due to work and other commitments.

Miss Evans was the only applicant, and earlier this week I was delighted to hear that not only had Chelsea been successful in the selection process to attend this prestigious gathering; but also that her travel and accommodation expenses are to be met by CPA Headquarters! Miss Evans is a 21 year old university student who has had experience working from time to time at our Legislature as part of the Assembly support staff team and has a keen interest in parliamentary, cultural and Island affairs.  She is currently completing the last semester studying a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, majoring in Sociology and Social Enterprise. She is also, by invitation, an applicant for the School of Humanities Honours Program at Griffith University for 2013.

I am very pleased that once again Norfolk Island has secured a place for one of our young people to attend another international activity organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (London); a body which is renowned for its encouragement and support to youth. I offer Chelsea Evans my warmest congratulations on being selected to represent Norfolk Island and know that she will be an excellent ambassador for our Island. Chelsea will have the opportunity to meet young people from all around the Commonwealth of Nations who share a similar passion for governance and parliamentary process in their respective homelands.

October sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The Legislative Assembly met on Wednesday 17 October 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 3.55 pm with a lunch break from 12.55 pm to 2.30 pm

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Moyna Irene Craig and George Roslyn Quintal.

Answers were provided both to questions without notice and on notice and the following papers were tabled:

1)            Speaker – Report under Section 12(11) of the Legislative Assembly (Register of Members’ Interest) Act 2004

2)            Minister Tourism, Industry & Development – Gaming Licence to Norfolk Island Interactive Pty Ltd

3)            Minister Tourism, Industry & Development  -  Gaming Licence to Norfolk Island Interactive Pty Ltd

4)            Chief Minister -  Report under Legal Aid Act 1995

         Motion by Mr King - THAT the paper be noted. Debate adjourned to a subsequent day of sitting

5)            Chief Minister -  Annual Report of the NI Public Service Board - Motion by Mr King - THAT the paper be noted. Debate adjourned to a subsequent day of sitting

6)            Chief Minister -  Policy paper titled Policies to improve Immigration in NI

         Motion by Mrs Ward - THAT the paper be noted

         Motion by Mrs Griffiths – That debate be adjourned to a subsequent day of sitting – agreed

7)            Minister Tourism, Industry & Development - Exposure Draft Marine Safety Bill

The following statements were made:

1)            Chief Minister advised that Officers from the National Audit Office were to visit NI next week

2)            Chief Minister advised of the monitoring of cash reserves

3)            Mrs Griffiths gave an update on the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians funding success for a mentoring project for Pacific Women Parliamentarians

Message 32 from the Administrator was reported advising that on 9 October 2012 he declared his assent to the Wills Act 2012 (Act No 8 of 2012) and the Tourist Accommodation (Amendment) Act 2012 (Act No 9 of 2012)

Outcomes from matters on the programme were as follows:

1)            The motion moved by Mr King to note the interim report, Codes of Conduct Inquiry compiled by Mr R J Cahill dated 31 May 2012 and tabled by the Chief Minister on 19 September 2012 was debated and agreed to

2)            The Land Valuation Bill 2012 and the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2012 were presented and adjourned respectively on the question – That the Bill be agreed to in principle

3)            The Customs (Amendment) Bill 2012 was agreed to

The Legislative Assembly will sit again on 21 November 2012 at 10 am

To read the Notice Paper, Programme, Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf. Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 19 October 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com.