From the Office of the Speaker 21 September 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The Legislative Assembly met on Wednesday 19 September 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 4.12 pm with a lunch break from1.50 to 2.30 pm

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of John Worthy and Mavis Angeline Tullner.

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

1)             Chief Minister -  Duty Threshold (Multiple consignments)

2)            Chief Minister -  Public Service Organisational Structure

3)            Chief Minister -  An Interim Report from Ron Cahill

4)            Chief Minister -  Guidelines for the Regional Infrastructure Fund  

5)            Chief Minister – Virement of Funds Advice

6)            Minister for Community Services – Norfolk Island Hospital Enterprise Annual Report

7)            Minister for Community Services – Norfolk Island Hospital Enterprise Financial Statements

8)            Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development - Direction to the General Manager of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau September 2012

9)            Minister for Community Services – Employment Conciliation Board - Annual Report

10)        Minister for Community Services – Report on the 2012 Norfolk Island Community and School Survey

11)        Minister for Community Services – Land Valuation Bill 2012 – Exposure Draft – a copy of the Bill and explanatory memorandum can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf and then click on 13^th Legislative Assembly and then click on exposure drafts of Bills

 

     Mr King moved –

THAT the paper be noted

     Question put and agreed to on the voices

12)        Chief Minister -  Government’s Legislative Programme to Sept 2012

13)        Chief Minister -  Application form for a General Entry Permit

14)        Chief Minister -  Customs (Amendment) Bill 2012 – Explanatory Memorandum

15)        Chief Minister – Status of Children Bill 2012 – Explanatory Memorandum

STATEMENTS OF AN OFFICIAL NATURE

1)      Chief Minister, Mr Buffett gave an update on the Government’s Legislative Programme (see No 12 above)

2)      Chief Minister, Mr Buffett gave an update on Immigration and the new application form for a General Entry Permit (see No 13 above)

Message 31 from the Office of the Administrator were read advising that on 21 August 2012 the Administrator declared his assent to the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012

Outcomes from matters on the programme were as follows:

1)             Ms Sharyn Quintal was appointed under section 48 of the Legislative Assembly Act 1979 to be a person to act as Clerk to the Legislative Assembly during a vacancy in the office of Clerk or while the Clerk is absent from duty for the period 20 September to 31 December 2012;

2)             Ms Elizabeth Nowell was appointed to the Employment Conciliation Board for the period 20 September 2012 to 19 September 2015

3)             The Customs (Amendment) Bill 2012 was introduced and adjourned on the motion – That the Bill be agreed to in principle

4)             The Status of Children Bill 2012 was introduced and adjourned on the motion – That the Bill be

5)             The Wills Bill was agreed to

6)             The Tourist Accommodation (Amendment) Bill 2012 was passed with amendments

The Legislative Assembly will sit again on 17 October 2012 at 10 am

Invitation to the Norfolk Island Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

The Norfolk Island Branch of the CPA has been invited, by CPA UK Branch and the CPA Secretariat (the organisers), in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, to nominate one or two young people to represent our Legislature at the 5^th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) in London, United Kingdom, 4 – 8 December 2012. The 5^th CYP will focus on governance, looking at the concept from a local, national and international perspective.  The historic and ornate surroundings of the Palace of Westminster will provide an inspirational setting for this exciting and important programme. The final selection of Commonwealth Youth Parliamentarians (CYPs) will be made by the organisers by examining CVs and ensuring regional and gender balance.  CYPs must be 18-29 years of age and be able to demonstrate an interest in the Commonwealth and parliamentary affairs and potential leadership qualities.  Good communication skills are essential. The CYPs will be expected to take an active role in the debates and proceedings of the Parliament. The organisers will be responsible for internal transport in London (not including airport transfers), food, accommodation and materials for the CYPs 4 – 7 December 2012.  The Norfolk Island Branch of the CPA is working with the organisers on a possible grant to help with one or two airfares from Norfolk Island to London to help one or two Norfolk Island Youth to participate. We will know in the coming week if we have been successful in obtaining airfare funding, otherwise CYPs will need to arrange and pay for their own airfares to attend. The 5^th CYP will offer all CYPs a wonderful opportunity to debate topical issues facing the Commonwealth and show how their generation might approach parliamentary politics.  If you would like to be nominated to attend this exciting opportunity, please send a letter outlining your interest and suitability to attend the CYP and your up to date CV to assembly@assembly.gov.nf by 24 September 2012. If you have any questions, or would like any further information, please contact Paula or Sharyn on 22003. It is appreciated that there are Norfolk Island youth currently studying or working and resident in London, we have made contact with a few to advise them of the opportunity, however we may not be aware of all, so please pass this information to your Norfolk Island friends and family in London that would be eligible to apply.

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 21 September 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com