The Appropriation Bill 2010-2011 was passed unanimously and unamended on Wednesday the 23rd June with all Members participating actively in debate on the Bill with varying views and philosophies being exchanged about the budgetary process and the way forward in the next financial year. I am advised that the Bill will be presented to the Executive Council for assent on 29 June 2010. The composition and role of the Executive Council is prescribed in Part III, Section 11, of the Norfolk Island Act of 1979. The Executive Council consists of the persons for the time being holding executive office (the Government Ministers);. The Administrator is entitled to attend all meetings of the Executive Council and shall preside at all meetings at which he or she is present. The role of the Executive Council is to advise the Administrator on all matters relating to the government of the Territory.
The following additional matters were considered at the sitting:
• Exemption of payment of customs duty by St. John’s Ambulance who imported medical supplies/equipment for the community which would otherwise have attracted $1462.57 customs duty. The motion was agreed.
• Three applications under the Tourist Accommodation Act 1984 relating to transfer of existing accommodation licences from one property to another as follows:
o One unit from “The Bounty Lodge” accommodation house to “The Buck’s Point House” on portion 34i2(a) Martins Road;
o One unit from “Castaway Hotel and Apartments” to “Hideaway Retreat” on portion 153i4(a) George Hunn Nobbs Road;
o One unit from “The Bounty Lodge” to the “Ball Bay House” on portion 49e3 Collins Head Road
Debate on all three motions was adjourned until the 28 July sitting of the House.
• The re-appointment of Nadia Cuthbertson, Morgan Evans, David Sanders and David Porter as members of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau for six months commencing on 1 July 2010. The motion was agreed.
• The Road Traffic (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2010 which was passed through all stages at the sitting.
• The Public Sector Management (Amendment) Bill 2010 which was introduced with debate being adjourned until the 28 July sitting of the House.
• The Child Welfare (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2010, which was also passed.
All of the above Bills and related documents can be found on www.info.gov.nf under “Legislative Assembly/Bills Passed Awaiting Passage/13thAssembly"
Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 24 June 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
2010/2011 budget
The Appropriation Bill 2010-2011 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday the 16th June and vigorous debate ensued. In addition to tabling the Bill and when making the traditional Budget Speech, the Minister with responsibility for finance, the Hon Craig Anderson, tabled a comprehensive document titled “Budget for the financial year 2010-2011 Budget related paper – Program Budget Narratives”. The Budget Speech provided background to the 2010/2011 budget and the following extracts from the Budget Narrative may be of interest:
“The 2010/11 budget of the Administration of Norfolk Island contains several significant changes designed to improve both the transparency of the island’s finances and the information provided in relation to public expenditure.
“A policy decision has been made by the 13th Legislative Assembly to bring most of the previous Government Business Enterprises (GBE’s) into the Revenue Fund. This has the effect of making the expenditures of these operations subject to appropriations passed by the Legislative Assembly as part of the Appropriation Bill. In the past there was no such requirement for these operations to have annual appropriations passed by the Assembly and expenditure was at the discretion of the responsible Executive Member.
…………….
“The second major change in the 2010/2011 budget is the phased introduction of program-based performance budgeting with approximately 30% of the Administration having their budgets presented in this format……….”
If you would like to read the full text of the Budget related paper you can find it on www.info.gov.nf under “Legislative Assembly/Bills Passed Awaiting Passage/13thAssembly/Appropriation Bill 2010-2011Budget Narrative”.
As a mark of respect to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Lisle Snell MLA, who received advice during the Assembly lunch break that his brother Keith Snell has passed away, the House adjourned the remaining business on the Notice Paper for consideration at the next sitting on 23 June 2010.
Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf
“The 2010/11 budget of the Administration of Norfolk Island contains several significant changes designed to improve both the transparency of the island’s finances and the information provided in relation to public expenditure.
“A policy decision has been made by the 13th Legislative Assembly to bring most of the previous Government Business Enterprises (GBE’s) into the Revenue Fund. This has the effect of making the expenditures of these operations subject to appropriations passed by the Legislative Assembly as part of the Appropriation Bill. In the past there was no such requirement for these operations to have annual appropriations passed by the Assembly and expenditure was at the discretion of the responsible Executive Member.
…………….
“The second major change in the 2010/2011 budget is the phased introduction of program-based performance budgeting with approximately 30% of the Administration having their budgets presented in this format……….”
If you would like to read the full text of the Budget related paper you can find it on www.info.gov.nf under “Legislative Assembly/Bills Passed Awaiting Passage/13thAssembly/Appropriation Bill 2010-2011Budget Narrative”.
As a mark of respect to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Lisle Snell MLA, who received advice during the Assembly lunch break that his brother Keith Snell has passed away, the House adjourned the remaining business on the Notice Paper for consideration at the next sitting on 23 June 2010.
Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf
Bounty Day 08 June 2010
Bounty Day dawned overcast and windy but as so often happens the clouds part and the sun shines and this year was no exception and after the landing of the weary travellers onto the Pier where they were greeted by Mr and Mrs Stewart, Captain Denham and the Speaker of the Assembly, the parade of Bounty folk in the usual wonderful array of Bounty clothing set off on their Bounty Parade stopping at the Cenotaph for the laying of wreaths, and at the Cemetery for families to pay their respects to their ancestors while Islanders sang their favourite hymns with great gusto; all of which combined to make for a happy crew with a great thirst to wend their way to Government House to enjoy a cuppa before the judging of the Island families to see who this year would take away the much coveted Bounty Plate. His Honour the Administrator and Mrs Walsh this year awarded the trophy to the Young Family, which included visiting Pitcairn Islanders.
Bounty Day would not be complete without the families gathering in the Compound for their Bounty Picnic and what a sumptuous feast was again on display. It was with some trepidation that I, in my role of first female Speaker of our Legislative Assembly, made my inaugural speech of welcome to those gathered for lunch; and I thank His Honour the Administrator for his address in reply. It is always wonderful when the Pitcairn Grace led by Island elder Mr George “Kik” Quintal echoes around the Compound walls signalling it is time “for the feast to begin”. The celebration of the 154th Anniversary of Bounty Day concluded with the Bounty Ball at Rawson Hall – a fitting finale to a wonderful day honouring the arrival of the ancestors from Pitcairn on 8 June 1856 and continuing the wonderful culture, traditions and hospitality of the Norfolk Island community.
Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf
Speech of welcome by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon Robin Adams JP at the Baunti Picnic in the Compound on Tuesday 08 June 2010
Your Honour the Administrator and Mrs Walsh, Chief Minister and Mrs Buffett and every one of us gathered here today – welcome
Des Dieh es Bounty Dieh.
En hetieh aklan.
Our story is such a great one that three epic movies have come out of Hollywood, with major screen stars of the day, acting the roles of Lieutenant Bligh and Fletcher Christian, and the crew of HMAV Bounty. But those movies stopped with the Mutiny and the return to Tahiti, while we continued on. To Pitcairn Island.
Then in 1856, the entire population of Pitcairn moved here to Norfolk Isle on the 8th of June, one hundred and fifty four years ago. And what a tale there is to tell! A continuation of an epic journey.
Our ancestors came with expectations but not all were met. Their writings and memories tell us, that they did not find Norfolk beautiful; for them Pitcairn was beautiful, and many of them were homesick for a very long time.
They faced many challenges, both personal and as a community, but they overcame them. They left a legacy for us as they finally came to think of Norfolk as a Paradise on Earth. And we today I am sure share that view.
They understood that solutions could be found. And we understand that too.
They realised that the younger generations were the Island’s future. And of course we know that too.
They knew that their culture and traditions were important. And we too share that view.
So thank you, all of you, for joining in today to continue and further our tradition of Baunti Dieh.
And in conclusion may I on your behalf say well done to the Young Family today for winning the Bounty Shield and to extend a warm welcome to the Pitcairn Islanders who have joined us here today, because our story is your story.
And also on your behalf to extend a warm welcome to all the visitors on our blessed Isle at this time; may you all enjoy our day and spread our story even further.
And now Your Honour, would you please join in and say a few words.
(after Address by the Administrator)
Thank you Your Honour. Let us all now sing Grace together led by our Island elder Mr George Kik Quintal.
(following on from Grace)
So let the Bounty picnic begin!
Des Dieh es Bounty Dieh.
En hetieh aklan.
Our story is such a great one that three epic movies have come out of Hollywood, with major screen stars of the day, acting the roles of Lieutenant Bligh and Fletcher Christian, and the crew of HMAV Bounty. But those movies stopped with the Mutiny and the return to Tahiti, while we continued on. To Pitcairn Island.
Then in 1856, the entire population of Pitcairn moved here to Norfolk Isle on the 8th of June, one hundred and fifty four years ago. And what a tale there is to tell! A continuation of an epic journey.
Our ancestors came with expectations but not all were met. Their writings and memories tell us, that they did not find Norfolk beautiful; for them Pitcairn was beautiful, and many of them were homesick for a very long time.
They faced many challenges, both personal and as a community, but they overcame them. They left a legacy for us as they finally came to think of Norfolk as a Paradise on Earth. And we today I am sure share that view.
They understood that solutions could be found. And we understand that too.
They realised that the younger generations were the Island’s future. And of course we know that too.
They knew that their culture and traditions were important. And we too share that view.
So thank you, all of you, for joining in today to continue and further our tradition of Baunti Dieh.
And in conclusion may I on your behalf say well done to the Young Family today for winning the Bounty Shield and to extend a warm welcome to the Pitcairn Islanders who have joined us here today, because our story is your story.
And also on your behalf to extend a warm welcome to all the visitors on our blessed Isle at this time; may you all enjoy our day and spread our story even further.
And now Your Honour, would you please join in and say a few words.
(after Address by the Administrator)
Thank you Your Honour. Let us all now sing Grace together led by our Island elder Mr George Kik Quintal.
(following on from Grace)
So let the Bounty picnic begin!
The Queen's Baton Arrives
Despite rain and miserable conditions our school captains and sports captains turned out at the airport on Friday evening of 4 June to take Her Majesty the Queen’s Baton by relay from the airport to the Norfolk Island Bowling Club where the Minister for Community Services, the Hon Tim Sheridan MLA, hosted a reception on behalf of the Legislative Assembly to welcome the Baton to the Island and to acknowledge the sports men and women who will be representing Norfolk at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games later in the year. The Baton was certainly much admired and extensively photographed throughout the evening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
