Impact of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee, Information on Committees

Impact of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee
At its sitting on 23 July 2010 Minister Sheridan presented the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2010 and moved – That the Bill be agreed to in principle. A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Memorandum can be found on www.info.gov.nf. The Legislative Assembly subsequently referred the Bill to the Impact of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee, a standing committee of the House, for its consideration and report back to the House. The Committee hopes to present its findings at the 22 September 2010 sitting. The Committee on this occasion comprises Mr Michael King MLA (Chairman), Mrs Melissa Ward and Mr Lisle Snell (alternate member). The Committee held its first public inquiry on the Bill last Tuesday 17 August 2010.

Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary committees can be established by –
• Statutes (statutory committees);
• Standing orders (standing committees SO 17 to 25); and
• Resolution of the Legislative Assembly (select committees SO 200 to 221).
The principle purpose of parliamentary committees is to perform functions which the House itself is not well fitted to perform.
Statutory Committees
Statutory committees are appointed in the manner prescribed in the relevant statute. For example –
• Immigration Committee – Immigration Act 1980;
• Social Services Committee – Social Services Act 1980
• Public Service Board – Public Sector Management Act 2000
Some statutes provide that a Member or Members of the Assembly serve on a statutory committee.
Standing Committees
Standing committees are appointed for the term of an Assembly. The Standing Orders currently provide for the following Standing Committees:
• Business Committee
• House Committee
• Standing Orders Committee
• Committee of Privileges
• Impact of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee
• Public Account and Estimates Committee
Select Committees
Select Committees are appointed by resolution of the Legislative Assembly and are usually given a date on or before which they must report to the House.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 20 August 2010

23 June 2010 sitting of the House

The Appropriation Bill 2010-2011 was passed unanimously and unamended on Wednesday the 23rd June with all Members participating actively in debate on the Bill with varying views and philosophies being exchanged about the budgetary process and the way forward in the next financial year. I am advised that the Bill will be presented to the Executive Council for assent on 29 June 2010. The composition and role of the Executive Council is prescribed in Part III, Section 11, of the Norfolk Island Act of 1979. The Executive Council consists of the persons for the time being holding executive office (the Government Ministers);. The Administrator is entitled to attend all meetings of the Executive Council and shall preside at all meetings at which he or she is present. The role of the Executive Council is to advise the Administrator on all matters relating to the government of the Territory.

The following additional matters were considered at the sitting:

• Exemption of payment of customs duty by St. John’s Ambulance who imported medical supplies/equipment for the community which would otherwise have attracted $1462.57 customs duty. The motion was agreed.
• Three applications under the Tourist Accommodation Act 1984 relating to transfer of existing accommodation licences from one property to another as follows:
o One unit from “The Bounty Lodge” accommodation house to “The Buck’s Point House” on portion 34i2(a) Martins Road;
o One unit from “Castaway Hotel and Apartments” to “Hideaway Retreat” on portion 153i4(a) George Hunn Nobbs Road;
o One unit from “The Bounty Lodge” to the “Ball Bay House” on portion 49e3 Collins Head Road
Debate on all three motions was adjourned until the 28 July sitting of the House.
• The re-appointment of Nadia Cuthbertson, Morgan Evans, David Sanders and David Porter as members of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau for six months commencing on 1 July 2010. The motion was agreed.
• The Road Traffic (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2010 which was passed through all stages at the sitting.
• The Public Sector Management (Amendment) Bill 2010 which was introduced with debate being adjourned until the 28 July sitting of the House.
• The Child Welfare (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2010, which was also passed.

All of the above Bills and related documents can be found on www.info.gov.nf under “Legislative Assembly/Bills Passed Awaiting Passage/13thAssembly"

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 24 June 2010

2010/2011 budget

The Appropriation Bill 2010-2011 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday the 16th June and vigorous debate ensued. In addition to tabling the Bill and when making the traditional Budget Speech, the Minister with responsibility for finance, the Hon Craig Anderson, tabled a comprehensive document titled “Budget for the financial year 2010-2011 Budget related paper – Program Budget Narratives”. The Budget Speech provided background to the 2010/2011 budget and the following extracts from the Budget Narrative may be of interest:

“The 2010/11 budget of the Administration of Norfolk Island contains several significant changes designed to improve both the transparency of the island’s finances and the information provided in relation to public expenditure.

“A policy decision has been made by the 13th Legislative Assembly to bring most of the previous Government Business Enterprises (GBE’s) into the Revenue Fund. This has the effect of making the expenditures of these operations subject to appropriations passed by the Legislative Assembly as part of the Appropriation Bill. In the past there was no such requirement for these operations to have annual appropriations passed by the Assembly and expenditure was at the discretion of the responsible Executive Member.

…………….

“The second major change in the 2010/2011 budget is the phased introduction of program-based performance budgeting with approximately 30% of the Administration having their budgets presented in this format……….”

If you would like to read the full text of the Budget related paper you can find it on www.info.gov.nf under “Legislative Assembly/Bills Passed Awaiting Passage/13thAssembly/Appropriation Bill 2010-2011Budget Narrative”.

As a mark of respect to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Lisle Snell MLA, who received advice during the Assembly lunch break that his brother Keith Snell has passed away, the House adjourned the remaining business on the Notice Paper for consideration at the next sitting on 23 June 2010.

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

Bounty Day 08 June 2010

Bounty Day dawned overcast and windy but as so often happens the clouds part and the sun shines and this year was no exception and after the landing of the weary travellers onto the Pier where they were greeted by Mr and Mrs Stewart, Captain Denham and the Speaker of the Assembly, the parade of Bounty folk in the usual wonderful array of Bounty clothing set off on their Bounty Parade stopping at the Cenotaph for the laying of wreaths, and at the Cemetery for families to pay their respects to their ancestors while Islanders sang their favourite hymns with great gusto; all of which combined to make for a happy crew with a great thirst to wend their way to Government House to enjoy a cuppa before the judging of the Island families to see who this year would take away the much coveted Bounty Plate. His Honour the Administrator and Mrs Walsh this year awarded the trophy to the Young Family, which included visiting Pitcairn Islanders.

Bounty Day would not be complete without the families gathering in the Compound for their Bounty Picnic and what a sumptuous feast was again on display. It was with some trepidation that I, in my role of first female Speaker of our Legislative Assembly, made my inaugural speech of welcome to those gathered for lunch; and I thank His Honour the Administrator for his address in reply. It is always wonderful when the Pitcairn Grace led by Island elder Mr George “Kik” Quintal echoes around the Compound walls signalling it is time “for the feast to begin”. The celebration of the 154th Anniversary of Bounty Day concluded with the Bounty Ball at Rawson Hall – a fitting finale to a wonderful day honouring the arrival of the ancestors from Pitcairn on 8 June 1856 and continuing the wonderful culture, traditions and hospitality of the Norfolk Island community.

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

Speech of welcome by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon Robin Adams JP at the Baunti Picnic in the Compound on Tuesday 08 June 2010

Your Honour the Administrator and Mrs Walsh, Chief Minister and Mrs Buffett and every one of us gathered here today – welcome

Des Dieh es Bounty Dieh.

En hetieh aklan.

Our story is such a great one that three epic movies have come out of Hollywood, with major screen stars of the day, acting the roles of Lieutenant Bligh and Fletcher Christian, and the crew of HMAV Bounty. But those movies stopped with the Mutiny and the return to Tahiti, while we continued on. To Pitcairn Island.

Then in 1856, the entire population of Pitcairn moved here to Norfolk Isle on the 8th of June, one hundred and fifty four years ago. And what a tale there is to tell! A continuation of an epic journey.

Our ancestors came with expectations but not all were met. Their writings and memories tell us, that they did not find Norfolk beautiful; for them Pitcairn was beautiful, and many of them were homesick for a very long time.

They faced many challenges, both personal and as a community, but they overcame them. They left a legacy for us as they finally came to think of Norfolk as a Paradise on Earth. And we today I am sure share that view.

They understood that solutions could be found. And we understand that too.

They realised that the younger generations were the Island’s future. And of course we know that too.

They knew that their culture and traditions were important. And we too share that view.

So thank you, all of you, for joining in today to continue and further our tradition of Baunti Dieh.

And in conclusion may I on your behalf say well done to the Young Family today for winning the Bounty Shield and to extend a warm welcome to the Pitcairn Islanders who have joined us here today, because our story is your story.

And also on your behalf to extend a warm welcome to all the visitors on our blessed Isle at this time; may you all enjoy our day and spread our story even further.

And now Your Honour, would you please join in and say a few words.

(after Address by the Administrator)

Thank you Your Honour. Let us all now sing Grace together led by our Island elder Mr George Kik Quintal.
(following on from Grace)

So let the Bounty picnic begin!

The Queen's Baton Arrives

Despite rain and miserable conditions our school captains and sports captains turned out at the airport on Friday evening of 4 June to take Her Majesty the Queen’s Baton by relay from the airport to the Norfolk Island Bowling Club where the Minister for Community Services, the Hon Tim Sheridan MLA, hosted a reception on behalf of the Legislative Assembly to welcome the Baton to the Island and to acknowledge the sports men and women who will be representing Norfolk at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games later in the year. The Baton was certainly much admired and extensively photographed throughout the evening.

Ministerial Portfolios

The Legislative Assembly met this week and certainly proved the adage that a short programme can often result in a long sitting and last Wednesday’s sitting was no exception. As a consequence of there being answers provided to 13 of the 14 questions on notice (which were published in last week’s Norfolk Islander), and there being lengthy and robust debate on a statement by the Chief Minister in respect of the Territories Law Reform Bill 2010, the Assembly meeting did not finish until around 3.30 pm. The House passed motions proposed by Minister Craig Anderson in respect of the appointment of Mrs Jenifer Magri to the Immigration Committee; and exemptions from payment of customs duty for goods imported by the Norfolk Island Volunteer Rescue Squad Inc. The Child Welfare (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2010 introduced by Minister Tim Sheridan has been adjourned to allow for public input. Minister Sheridan also reminded the Norfolk Island community that a review of the Road Traffic legislation is underway and urged people to make submissions on any changes they would like to see made to the legislation. On behalf of Members of the Assembly, I welcome Mrs Rhonda Griffiths MLA back home and trust that she was able to tune in to hear the answers, which were provided to the questions she had placed “on notice”.

We are asked from time to time about the responsibilities/portfolios of the various members of the Assembly so this week we are republishing what is commonly referred to as the Assembly Administrative Arrangements Order.

The current operative arrangements for this Assembly are -

David E. Buffett
CHIEF MINISTER



Head of Government
Self-government
Intergovernmental Relations
Strategic Planning
Public Service
Culture, Heritage and Traditions
Museums
KAVHA and Cemetery
Education

Craig M. Anderson
MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL



Treasury
Budget
Public Monies
Economic Policy
GST
Retail Price Index
Benefit Adjustment Factor
Fees and Charges
Justice
Police
Licensing
Liquor Bond
Postal/Philatelic
Customs
Immigration
Employment
- Industrial Relations
- Workers Compensation

Andre N. Nobbs
MINISTER FOR TOURISM, INDUSTRY & DEVELOPMENT



Tourism
Commerce and Industry
Economic Development
Gaming
Electricity
Transportation
- Airline
- Airport
- Lighterage
- Harbour
- Shipping
Primary Industry
- Agriculture & Horticulture
- Slaughtering
- Pounds
- Domestic Animals
- Fisheries
Communications and Technology
- SPIN
- Norfolk Telecom
New Technology Assessment

Timothy J. Sheridan
MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES



Social Welfare
- Social Services
- Superannuation
Health
- Hospital Enterprise
- Healthcare
- Public Health
Environment
- Land & Buildings
- Parks & Forestry
- National Park and Botanic Gardens
- Waste Management
- Pests and Noxious weeds
- Quarrying
Emergency Services & Disaster Management
Sport & Recreation
Civil Works –
- Roads
- Road Traffic

Briefings continued and Visits from the ACT

Briefings by the Public Service are key to new members gaining understanding of the operations of Government whilst giving officers themselves the opportunity to share concerns they might have and to offer potential solutions for the Assembly’s consideration. All in all a most worthwhile exercise and staff are to be complemented for their professional presentations. Clearly we underestimate the talents and skill base we have in this truly amazing community. Certainly Members now have better understanding of some of the problem areas, which require early attention – waste management and argentine ants being just two of these key areas.

We welcome to Norfolk Island this week the Hon Shane Rattenbury MLA, Speaker of the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly and Member of the A.C.T. Greens Party, who arrived Wednesday evening. Shane is here to compete in the Island’s Triathlon this weekend and we wish him well. He is taking the opportunity during his visit to explore as much of the Island as he can and to talk with a number of Island residents who share similar interests. This is Shane’s first term of office as a Member and he shared with the Chief Minister, the Acting Clerk and myself over a cup of tea some interesting snippets from his life pre politics.

“Having worked for Greenpeace for the last 10 years, I know that it is possible to make the world a better place. After gaining degrees in Economics and Law (Honours) at ANU and working for the Commonwealth Industry Department, I joined Greenpeace Australia in 1998, where I was able to campaign on local issues like preventing toxic emissions at the Totalcare Incinerator in Mitchell. In 2005, as Head of Greenpeace’s global oceans campaign, I led an expedition of two Greenpeace ships to Antarctica to confront the Japanese whaling fleet. We saved 82 whales by putting ourselves between the whales and the harpoons, and forced the whalers to return home with a reduced catch. In December 2007, as International Political Director, I led the Greenpeace delegation at the vital climate change negotiations in Bali, which successfully started the process for the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol.”.

Meeting with Managers of the Public Service

Members of your new Assembly have been very busy since they were sworn in as Members on 24 March 2010 and on most days have been attending briefings by the Administration between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm. Managers from the following areas have provided detailed overviews of the operations for which they have oversight – Finance (George Plant, Barry Wilson & Bruce Taylor); Role of Government Secretariat (Elizabeth Burns & Alma Davidson); Registry Office (Alan Bataille); Social Services (Kim Edward); Healthcare/Workers Compensation (Gary Dowling); Tourist Accommodation (Jason Adams); Museums (Lisa Richards); School (Neil Solomon); Information Technology (Steve Matthews); KAVHA (Bruce Baskerville); Planning & Environment (Alan McNeil; Health/Building/Quarantine (Neil Tavener); Waste Management (Malcolm Snell); Norfolk Island Police (Vince Parnell); Customs & Immigration (Alan Buffett); Parks/Forestry/Conservator (Peter Davidson); Legal Services Unit (Wayne Richards); Emergency Services (Gerri Downie); Electricity/Norfolk Energy (John Christian); Public Works (Justin Reynolds); Post Office (Debbie Simpson); Philatelic (Bruce Taylor); Liquor Bond (Douglas Jackson). Members also received comprehensive briefings on Gaming (Rod McAlpine); Norfolk Air (Jeff Murdoch) and Norfolk Island Tourism (Nicole Moore). With the Easter break, time did not allow for the Airport Manager (Glenn Robinson); Telecom Manager (Kim Davies); Hospital (David McCowan) and the Office of the Clerk (Gaye Evans JP) to provide their briefings and they will be held next week as will site inspections of the airport, forestry, waste management, works depot and others.

First formal Sitting of the House on 14 April 2010

Your Legislative Assembly will next meet on Wednesday 14 April at 10 am and Members of the public are welcome to sit in the public gallery. However we ask you to understand that seating in our small gallery is limited.

The 13th Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island

The elections held on Norfolk Island on 17 March 2010 brought in the 13th Legislative Assembly. Ms Robin Adams JP, former Clerk to the Assembly for the past 26 years became a Member and was elected Speaker at the first formal sitting of the House. Ms Adams has commenced a publication called Your Parliament Your Voice to get the message of the Assembly and it's working, to a wider audience.