September sitting of the Legislative Assembly

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”
From the Office of the Speaker

The following is a summary of some of the matters dealt with at the sitting of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 22 September 2010:

• Answers were provided to the majority of the 21 Questions on Notice.
• A number of papers were tabled including an exposure draft of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau (Amendment) Bill 2010 and explanatory memorandum. The explanatory memorandum reads –

The intent of this Bill is to change the organisation structure of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau as established under the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau Act 1980. The revised structure will resemble that established for the Norfolk Island Hospital Enterprise under the Norfolk Island Hospital Act 1985. To that end the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau will retain its name and corporate identity but the powers (including employment) of the Bureau and day to day management of Bureau activities will be exercised by a general manager. There will be an Advisory Board, of 5 persons nominated by the executive member in accordance with a resolution of the Legislative Assembly (two of whom may be nominated by a recognised association). These members will hold office for 3 years and may be re-appointed. The executive member will appoint the chairperson. The general manager will be appointed by the executive member on the recommendation of the Advisory Board. The NIGTB Advisory Board will act in relation to the Bureau in the same way as does the Hospital Advisory Board to the Hospital Enterprise. The Advisory Board will be a source of advice on strategy and direction regarding the Bureau and development of the tourism industry.

Copies of the exposure draft of this Bill and Explanatory Memorandum are available from Mrs. Jan Keeping in the Legal Services Unit at the Norfolk Island Administration or on www.info.gov.nf under Legislative Assembly Exposure Drafts of Bills.

• Several statements were made by Ministers of the Norfolk Island Government and they can be found elsewhere in Norfolk Online.
• The transfer of one tourist accommodation unit from the tourist accommodation house known as “Cumberland Resort and Spa” to portion Lot 49 Mountbatten Park was approved subject to prescribed conditions
• Approval was given for exemption of payment of customs duty by Banyan Park Play Centre for playground equipment and by Norfolk Island Amateur Sports and Commonwealth Games Association for uniforms for the Commonwealth Games Team
• The House approved the re-appointment to the Norfolk Island Museum Trust of Owen Edward John Walsh for the period 23 September 2010 to 22 September 2012
• The motion moved by Mr. King that the House rescind its order made on 28 July 2010 was agreed
• The Chief Minister at the 28 July 2010 sitting of the House tabled a draft determination of Organisational Structure of the Public Service under the Public Sector Management Act 2000. The House agreed the making of the new Organisational Structure.
• At the 28 July 2010 sitting of the House a letter dated 15 July 2010 from Minister Anderson to Hon Brendon O’Connor MP re Norfolk Island Government Budget 2010-2011 was tabled by Minister Anderson and a motion – That the House take note of the paper and the paper be endorsed – was moved and adjourned by Mr. King. The motion was subsequently passed at the sitting this week.

Our Commonwealth Games contingent leaves on the weekend for New Delhi India where they will represent Norfolk at the Commonwealth Games there. Our Minister for Community Services, the Hon. Tim Sheridan MLA, will represent Norfolk in lawn bowls.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 24 September 2010 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com/

Assemby documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf