56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference - Kenya

Norfolk Island has a voice at the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Nairobi Kenya – continued from Your Parliament Your Voice published on 2 October 2010
The Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Lisle Snell, has provided the following brief summary on his participation at the plenary conference and at the Small Branches Conference.

“Norfolk Island is included as a part of the Australian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (the CPA) which comprises all Australian States and Territories with the exception of Cocos Island and Christmas Island. Madam Speaker has reported in an earlier issue of Your Parliament Your Voice on Norfolk Island’s role in the CPA and that it s one of the few forums in which Norfolk participates internationally in our own right so I will only say that we have sent delegates annually to this major parliamentary conference since 1979. The opportunity to be part of this global network is hugely important, particularly to small governments with democratic responsibility such as we have. If Norfolk was not there we would be forgotten very quickly and any help we may require would be difficult to obtain.

“Within the CPA, Norfolk Island is well known and respected as a successful and stable democratic government.

Commencing the day after my arrival, I attended workshops and seminars, starting with the Small Branches Conference where matters of mutual interest were debated. Major topics covered in the Small Branches Conference were Energy and Environment; Achieving Sustainable Development; The Challenges of Sovereignty in Small States; The Effect of ‘Political’ Corruption in Small States; and Parliament and Accountability – Strengthening Over-Sight in Small States. To expand on some of the issues raised in debate relevant to Norfolk.

• Waste Management – Norfolk was advised to pursue the pit burner disposal system in lieu of expensive high heat incinerators. Jersey spent 100 million on a high heat incinerator and are not happy with the result.
• Nepotism – A concern but unavoidable in small countries and need not be a major concern provided proper policy is followed.
• Small Governments suffer the same accusations of “doing well- they must be corrupt” or “Going bad – They must be incompetent.”
• Make all government contracts and results of building process public
• Protect land for food production
• Small countries must be alert to changes around them ie territorial waters
• Changes to historic rights must be open and debated – changes must not impede the rights of people and trade
• Cultural sovereignty versus economic and social rule
• All peoples have rights of self determination
• Economic Sovereignty – protection of natural resources
• National pride and cultural rights
• Must protect energy sources and security – No country can prosper without energy
• Retain close partnership with a major country

I appreciated the opportunity to be part of this CPA Conference and I hope the experience will benefit both my own and Norfolk’s parliamentary future”..

Regrettably space does not permit inclusion of Part 2 of the CPA News Release this week.

Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 (Commonwealth)
The Hansard of introductory remarks made by Federal Minister Simon Crean MP when introducing the Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 (Commonwealth) into the House of Representatives on 29 September 2010 an be accessed on http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr290910.pdf.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 8 October 2010

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