Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 7 December 2011

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The Legislative Assembly met on Wednesday 7 December 2011 at 10 am and concluded at 4.08 pm with a suspension due to broadcasting difficulties between 10.15 and 10.55 am and a lunch break between 12.45 pm and 2.30 pm.  We welcomed Professor Richard Herr to the public gallery.  Professor Herr is the academic co-ordinator for ANZACATT (Australian and New Zealand Clerks at The Table) parliamentary law and practice course at Tasmania’s University Law School.  Professor Herr has just completed a UN Review of Small National Parliaments and is en route to Samoa where he will be assisting with the induction seminar for their small National Parliament. Birthday wishes were also extended to Minister Sheridan.

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Maisie Joy Nobbs, Shelley Joy Hall and Michella Jane Reynolds,

Answers were provided both to questions without notice and on notice.

The following papers were tabled:

1)       Mr King – Extract from House of Representatives Hansard dated Thursday 24 November 2011 page 1

2)       Mr Nobbs – Norfolk Island Fishery Management Policy 2009

3)       Mr Sheridan – Response to Question on Notice No. 311 – Debts Healthcare System

4)       Mr Nobbs – Papers on Bookmakers and Betting Exchange Act 1998

5)       Mr Sheridan – Traffic (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2011

6)       Mr Sheridan – Traffic (Amendment No. 5) Regulations 2011

7)       Speaker Adams – Letter from Administrator dated 25 November 2011conveying Hon Simon Crean MP’s response to motion passed at October sitting

8)       Mr Buffett – NI Census 2011

9)       Mr Buffett – Update of the Financial Capacity of Norfolk Island 2011

10)   Mr Buffett – Customs Act 1913 – Approved exemptions

11)   Mr Buffett – Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 – Explanatory Memorandum

Statements were made by -

1)       Chief Minister, Mr Buffett on progression of the Road Map

2)       Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan, requesting road users in the community to drive safely and exercise caution during the Festive Season

3)       Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan, who advised community of the imposition of a Fire Ban

4)       Chief Minister, Mr Buffett who extended his thanks and good wishes to Bruce Baskerville, KAVHA Site Manager at the close of his term of contract

5)       Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan, who advised community of the drug and alcohol services which are currently available

The following Message was reported from the Office of the Administrator –

Message No. 25 from the Administrator under section 21 of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 advising that on 22 November 2011 he declared his assent to the Married Persons (Equality of Status) Act 2011 (Act No 17 of 2011)

Message No. 25 from the Administrator under section 21 of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 advising that on 22 November 2011 he declared his assent to the Married Persons (Equality of Status) Act 2011 (Act No 17 of 2011)

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

1)                  The House recommended that the Administrator exempt the following from payment of customs duty – Norfolk Island Fishing Club Safety Equipment; St Johns Ambulance Defibrillators; and Norfolk Island Junior Rugby League of two extreme MotoX motorcycles on the condition that the motorcycles are exported at conclusion of the event

2)                  The motions proposed by Mr King to rescind the votes of the House on 5 October 2011 recorded as Item 10 and Item 13 in the Minutes of proceedings of that date were negatived

3)                  Mrs Kim Narelle Edward was appointed Official Trustee of the Provident Account for the purposes of sections 4 and 4A(1)(a) of the Provident Account Act 1958

4)                   The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 was presented and adjourned

5)                   The Official Survey (Amendment) Bill 2011 was agreed to

6)                  The Employment (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2011 which was further amended by the House was agreed to

The next sitting of the Legislative Assembly is on Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 10 am.

Practice and procedure in the Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island will continue next week on The Offices of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Acting Deputy Speaker (the Presiding Officers) in Norfolk Island

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 8 December 2011 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com