Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 4 May 2011

Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 4 May 2011
The Legislative Assembly met on Wednesday 4 May 2011 at 10 am and concluded at 12.35 pm; Deputy Speaker Snell and Mr King who are off Island were granted leave from the sitting.

The following papers were tabled:

1) Minister for Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Mr Nobbs –
a) Tourism Ministers Summary of Initiatives;
b) Postal Services (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
c) Print out on Marine Bioregional Planning Initiative taken from www.environment.gov.au/coasts/east/index

2) Chief Minister, Mr Buffett –
a) Virement of Funds since 6 April 2011;
b) Financial indicators for February and March 2011;
c) Economic Indicators December 2010 based on GST Gross Revenue;
d) Explanatory Memorandum to the Customs (Amendment) Bill 2011
3) Mrs Griffiths – Curriculum Vitae for Professor Kenneth William Wiltshire AO;
4) Ms Adams – Open Letter to Members of the Assembly of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly from Island Elders Marie Bailey OAM, Bernie Christian Bailey, W.A. Blucher AM, Tom Lloyd AM, Ken Nobbs, Jim Olsson and Greg Quintal MBE.

Statements were made on the following issues:

1) Speaker Adams –
a. Recorded the making of history in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly with the election of its first female speaker, South Coast Liberal MP Shelley Hancock. Congratulations were extended to Ms Hancock on her election;
b. acknowledged the invitation received from the Hon John Mickel MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, for the Speaker and the Clerk to the Assembly to attend the Regional sitting of the Queensland Parliament being held later this month in Mackay. Whilst unable to attend, the Speaker extended her best wishes for a successful sitting;

2) Chief Minister, Mr Buffett –
a) spoke on the advancement of the Norfolk Island Road Map;
b) advised of the visit of the JSC from 5 to 7 May 2011. The JSC is to meet with Members of the Assembly and in private session with community members and groups during their visit.

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

1 Mrs Lorraine Boudan was reappointed as a member of the Immigration Committee for two years from 21 May 2011;
2 Mr Albert Buffett, Mrs Jeanette (Liz) Calder and Mr Peter Horrocks were appointed members of the Norfolk Island Museum Trust for 3 years from 5 May 2011;
3. Substantive debate ensued on the motion proposed by Mrs Griffiths in respect of the Commonwealth Funded review of the Norfolk Island Administration and all its associated business entities. The motion was agreed with amendment to paragraph c);
4. The Customs (Amendment) Bill 2011 was introduced and passed through all stages;
5 Debate on the Ombudsman Bill 2011 was again adjourned.

The House will next meet on 1 June 2011 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 4 May 2011 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com