From the Office of the Speaker on 11 May 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Matters brought before the Legislative Assembly on 9 May 2012

The Legislative Assembly met on Wednesday 9 May 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 6 pm with a suspension for lunch between 12 pm and 1.45 pm and with a second suspension between 3.10 pm and 5.30 pm to allow Members to attend the funeral of Mrs Enid Weslake.

The House welcomed to the Public Gallery Mr Ian Silk, a personal guest at Government House, Chief Executive of Australian Super, Director of ASFA and Chair of ASFA’s Policy Committee; a member of the Financial Services Advisory Council to the Federal Treasurer; a Member of the Federal Government's Financial Literacy Advisory Board; a director of Yooralla and a friend of the Administrator to whom he was adviser when His Honour was a Cabinet Minister

Leave was unanimously granted to Ms Robin Adams and Mrs Rhonda Griffith.

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Leslie Quick Brown, Phyllis Trickey and Kenneth Ricky Quintal.

Answers were provided both to questions without notice and on notice and the following papers were tabled:

1)             Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – Norfolk Energy – Fuel Shortage

2)             Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – Report on RESA 29 – As at 3^rd October 2011

3)             Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – Radio Station – Known Costs versus Known Revenue

4)             Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – NI Gaming Authority – Gaming Licence Fees and Charges

5)             Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – NI Gaming Authority Minutes of formal sitting held 4 November 2011

6)             Deputy Speaker, Mr Snell – Legislative Assembly (Register of Members’ Interests) Act 2004 – Report

7)             Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan – Healthcare (Amendment) Regulations 2012

8)              Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan – Healthcare Levy Regulations 2012

9)              Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Pro-forma performance based conditions of appointment of the Chief Executive Officer

10)         Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 – detail stage amendment

11)         Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 – detail stage amendment explanatory memorandum

The Chief Minister made a statement to the House to update Members and the community on the progression of the Roadmap.

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

1)        The House adjourned debate on the subject of Strata Title on Norfolk Island

2)        The House agreed the conditions of appointment of Mr Graeme Faulkner as Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service

3)        The Norfolk Island Development Report, the final report by Dr James Fogarty of Acil Tasman was tabled at the April sitting of the House and debate on the Paper was at that time adjourned. Debate was resumed and the Paper was noted by the House

4)         Debate on the Sentencing (Amendment) Bill 2012 was resumed and the Bill passed through all stages

5)        Debate on the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 was resumed and the Bill was agreed to, following certain amendments

June sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 6 June 2012 at 10 am at a Ceremonial Sitting to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; and at 11 am on the same day for the purpose of conducting its usual business

Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Events for the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 to mark the 60 years of her reign are in the process of being organised by the Diamond Jubilee Committee.

Her Majesty is the second longest reigning monarch in British history and has travelled overseas more than any other Sovereign in history. Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has made an impressive 261 official overseas visits to 116 different countries which has included visiting Norfolk Island on 11 February 1974.

The official commencement of the celebrations has been set in the United Kingdom on Monday the 4^th June 2012 with the lighting of beacons. In Norfolk Island it is intended that there will be the release lanterns at that time combined with the unveiling of a plaque in Queen Elizabeth Avenue to celebrate this occasion.  

A project that is being progressed is participation in a global interactive archive which provides for photographs, videos and audio clips to be added to the web site which can be viewed on www.historypin.com/DiamondJubilee  Any person who has material concerning the visit of Her Majesty to the island in 1974 and would like this to be included to the website should contact Allen Bataille on 23691 or Paula Mathewson on 22003.

In respect of a gift for Her Majesty there is a print being commissioned which together with a community card designed in conjunction with the Community Arts Society will allow for the people of Norfolk Island to sign the card prior to it being forwarded on. 

A special Sitting of the Legislative Assembly will also be held on Wednesday 6^th June 2012 to mark the occasion. (See above).

Other events are also being organised and a program of these events will be published on the 2^nd June 2012. 

 

The photograph shows Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Miss Fay Bataille,

meeting Girl Guides during her visit in February 1974

To read the Notice Paper, Programme, Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf. Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 11 May 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com