March sitting of the Legislative Assembly 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The House met on Wednesday 7 March 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 2.25 pm. The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Richard Clarence Hamilton-Irvine and Penelope June Eggins.

Petitions

Mr Sheridan presented a Petition from 236 residents of Norfolk Island.  The Petition read:  “We the undersigned being residents of Norfolk Island HEREBY seek that you as the Minister responsible for Health matters on Norfolk Island, take all necessary steps and seek all possible means to retain and engage the professional services of Dr Mark Szolkowski for the benefit of the community of Norfolk Island as the Community is in urgent need for the provision of the professional services and expertise held by Dr Mark Szolkowski in the fields of: Psychiatry, Emergency medicine, General Practice and Rural and Remote Medicine”.

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

The following papers were tabled:

1)    Mr Sheridan – Petition (see above)

2)    Mr Buffett – Outstanding Road Map Initiatives

3)    Mr Buffett - Statement of Reasons why the 2010/2011 Financial Statements have not been given to the Auditor General within 5 Months after the end of the Financial Year

4)    Mr King – Papers in adjournment debate from which he had quoted in Questions without notice

Statements were made by -

The Chief Minister, Mr Buffett –

a)         on Reasons why the 2010/2011 Financial Statements have not been given to the Auditor General within 5 Months after the end of the Financial Year; and

b)         on Road Map progress

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

1     Goods and Services (Amendment) Bill 2012 – presented and passed through all stages as an urgent Bill

April sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 11 April 2012 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 16 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

Your Parliament - Your Voice 9 March 2012

       

  “Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

It is Commonwealth Day on Monday the 12^th March 2012 and we send warm wishes for a most enjoyable day to Norfolk’s attendees Tim Gatehouse, Tennille Christian and Leah Christian from whom we look forward to receiving in due course a report on the activities they attended.  We have asked them to make sure they link up at the celebrations with the Manx students from the Isle of Man – Kirsty Renshaw and Abby Dixon (featured below).  Readers will recall that Norfolk Island and the Isle of Man signed a Cultural Agreement last July in which our two Islands acknowledge our common ties of family and culture and acknowledge our desire to develop and strengthen friendly relations and to promote interest in the fields of heritage, culture, research, education and media communications.

Kirsty Rensha

Former Buchan and King William’s College student Kirsty Renshaw, a Durham University BA (Hons) graduate in history, English and politics, is now reading law at BPP law school, London. Abby Dixon is at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) reading for an MSc in migration, mobility and development. She is also learning Swahili and, once qualified, is hoping to relocate to East Africa to work in humanitarian development.

                     

  

The following words from Isle of Man CPA branch chairman Mr Juan Watterson MHK sums up perfectly what the Commonwealth Day activity in London organised by the CPA for us is all about:

 

Abby Dixon

‘This year’s observance day event not only provides an opportunity to reflect on the enduring relevance and importance of the Commonwealth but also the valuable contribution it makes, through the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in bringing nations, and young people especially, together in a spirit of mutual understanding to further the aims of parliamentary democracy. It is therefore fitting that the theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day observance celebrations in London is Connecting Cultures and I am pleased the Isle of Man branch of the CPA has been able to offer Abby and Kirsty this unique insight into the modern-day Commonwealth.’

It is our wish that this year’s Commonwealth Day celebrations in London will further connect the cultures of Norfolk Island and the Isle of Man through a coming together of Abby, Kirsty, Tim, Tennille and Leah.

Whilst Commonwealth Day is celebrated around the Commonwealth of Nations on Monday the 12^th March, this year we will acknowledge Commonwealth Day at the School Assembly on Wednesday the 14^th March when Deputy Speaker Snell will speak about Commonwealth Day and Ms Sophie Donohoe, Spokesman for the Youth Assembly, will read Her Majesty’s Message.

Matters from the sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 7 March 2012 will be reported in next weeks issue of Your Parliament Your Voice.  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 9 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

   

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Commonwealth Day 2012

I am sure readers will join with me in offering congratulations to three of our young people who are currently working in London and who have been chosen to represent Norfolk at the Commonwealth Day celebrations being held in London on Commonwealth Day – the 14^th March 2012.  They are Tim Gatehouse (son of Chris and Karen), Tennille Christian (daughter of John and Kerry) and Leah Christian (daughter of Enoch and Coral).

 

                                                                                                   

 Tim Gatehouse

Leah Christian

    Tennille Christian

 Congratulations to you all and we know you will represent Norfolk well.  The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) programme for the Commonwealth Day Event in London for 2012 will be held in Westminster House.  The day will start with an introduction by Dr William F. Shija, Secretary-General, CPA and Mr David Broom, Director Finance & Administration, CPA.  Participants will enjoy a tour of the Houses of Parliament and partake in question time on the subjects of “What does an MP actually do”? and “What does the work of a High Commissioner involve”?  They will then enjoy lunch followed by attending the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey, at which Her Majesty the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth will be present as will all Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. 

Tennille was very lucky to be selected by CPA Headquarters to also attend the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s evening reception that night, also in the presence of Her Majesty.  There are only limited seats available to this evening reception and we were most pleased to learn that they had picked a Norfolk Island representative.

Formal launch of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on Norfolk Island

In 2010 the Australian Parliament amended the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Clth) to allow applications to be made to the Tribunal for the review of decisions made in the exercise of powers conferred by Norfolk Island enactments that are mentioned in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Regulations. With Justice Garry Downes presiding the Administrative Appeals Tribunal was formally launched in the Court House at Old Military Barracks on Thursday 1 March 2012.   His Honour the Administrator Mr Owen Walsh and Chief Minister Hon David Buffett AM MLA joined Justice Downes on the bench, both acknowledging the potential benefits to flow to the Norfolk Island community through the future work of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on our Island.

Visit of Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC

We look forward to welcoming to Norfolk Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC and Mr Stuart McCosker who are visiting our shores from 2 to 6 March 2012.  A number of official engagements have been arranged for Her Excellency during her visit including attending the International Women’s Day Reception hosted by the Administrator at Paradise Hotel on Sunday afternoon and a morning tea with Members of the Legislative Assembly on Monday morning.  A warm welcome is extended to Her Excellency and Mr McCosker.

March sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 7 March 2012 at 10 am. Matters programmed for the sitting can be read elsewhere in this publication.

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 2 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

 

The first meeting of the Legislative Assembly for 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The first meeting of the Legislative Assembly for 2012 was held on Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 3.58 pm with a suspension for lunch between 12.45 pm and 2.00 pm. 

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Alice Maude Buffett, Ross Evelyn Westwood and Frederick Cain (Clerk to Parliament of Nauru)

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

The following papers were tabled:

1)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett - Virement of Funds Advice

2)         Minister for Community Services, Mr Sheridan – Traffic (Amendment No. 6) Regulations 2011

3)         Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development, Mr Nobbs – Norfolk Island Fishing and Marine Report – January 2012

4)         Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Letter from Simon Crean MP dated 19 December 2011 a) responding to Chief Minister’s letter of 7 October 2011 concerning Protection of Norfolk Island’s Cultural Heritage; and b) responding to Chief Minister’s letter advising of motion of the House on 5 October 2011 requesting consideration be given by Minister Crean to the appointment of an eminent person to oversee Norfolk Island reform process.

Statements were made by -

1)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett who read a letter from Hon Simon Crean MP dated 19 December 2011 (see paper 4 above)

2)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Norfolk Island Public Service Review and its twelve recommendations

Debate ensued on the motion moved by Mr King that the statement and paper be noted

3)    Chief Minister, Mr Buffett – Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and a further visit to launch the Tribunal’s jurisdiction, including officers from the Australian Information Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Attorney-General’s Department

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

1)         The House agreed the appointment of Megan Honor Adams to the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau Advisory Board

2)         The House having agreed a motion to suspend so much of standing orders as would prevent the House from considering a motion on the notice paper titled Citizens Initiated Referendum, such motion seeking amendment of the law relating to the compulsory wearing of seat belts., the House debated the motion which was negatived on the calling of the House.

3)         The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2011 was called on and further adjourned as an Order of the Day for a subsequent day of sitting

March sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 7 March 2012 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 3 February 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

From the Office of the Speaker

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Commonwealth Day 2012

We sent out the call recently for names of our young people living/working in London who might be interested in nominating for selection to represent Norfolk at the Commonwealth Day 2012 celebrations being organized in London on 12 March by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. We are thrilled to have received three applications!  Traditionally we are only able to submit two names but as we have received three names we have sent all their names to London in the hope that CPA may be able to accommodate them all.  If not London will make the choice on our behalf so let’s stay positive that we will get a good decision on our request!

Visit of Consul General of the United States in NSW, Mr Niels Marquardt

It was an absolute pleasure to be able to host a morning tea last Monday to offer Members and parliamentary staff the opportunity to meet the US Consul General in NSW, Mr Niels Marquardt.  Mr Marquardt has taken the opportunity to combine business and pleasure on Norfolk over the past week and he is joined by his wife Judith and two of their four daughters Torrin and Yannika.  It was rewarding for us all to reflect back on the historical ties between the United States, Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands as a result of the whaling industry; an industry which brought the ancestors of the Evans, Buffett and Young families to Pitcairn Island and the ancestors of many current residents to Norfolk Island in the late 1800’s. We are encouraging the Marquardt family to return for Bounty Day or Thanksgiving Day (or both perhaps!) to continue to foster our relationship.

Australia Day Thursday 26 January 2012

Congratulations to those in the community who received Norfolk Island Australia Day Awards at a function held at Government House to celebrate Australia Day. I trust the Administrator’s heartfelt speech will be published elsewhere in the local press along with the names of the local recipients of our Australia Day awards. The US Consul General also addressed the community gathering expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome he and his family had received on the Island and how impressed he was with the obvious pride evident in our caring for the environment and our land. He also read an Australia Day message from the United States President Barack Obama to the Governor General of Australia. The message is also published elsewhere in the local press.

Welcome to the Clerk to the Legislative Council of Victoria

The Clerk Mrs Gaye Evans JP and I extend a warm welcome to our colleague Wayne Tunnecliffe, Clerk to the Legislative Council of Victoria and his wife Lorraine who are visiting Norfolk for a week’s holiday. Our friendship with Wayne and Lorraine goes back many years and we look forward to catching up with them socially over the coming week.

February sitting of the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere in this publication you will find full details of the matters to be considered at the meeting of the Legislative Assembly next Wednesday 1 February 2012 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 27 January 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

Commonwealth Day 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Commonwealth Day 2012 

Commonwealth Day 2012 is fast approaching, 12 March to be precise.

Each year the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association through its Secretariat in London invites member CPA branches to nominate 2 young people (preferably 18-25 yrs) who are living in the UK to attend Commonwealth Day in London.  This year’s theme is “Connecting Cultures”.

The day will include:

-         Participation at CPA Headquarters in discussions on the Commonwealth and specifically on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

-          Viewing short debates/presentations on current critical issues in the Commonwealth

-          Attendance at the Observance Ceremony at Westminster Abbey, where Her Majesty the Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth will attend along with all Commonwealth High Commissioners in London

-          Attendance at the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s evening reception in the presence of Her Majesty.

Readers will remember that Brent Adams represented us at Commonwealth Day in 2011 and as you will see from our photo he met Her Majesty the Queen!

Please if you know of any of our people living in the UK between the age of 18 and 25 whom you think might be interested in being nominated to represent Norfolk please email me on speaker@assembly.gov.nf or phone 22003 and leave your name with Paula Mathewson, secretary to the Legislative Assembly. The deadline for submitting names to London is 24 January.

The next sitting of the Legislative Assembly is on Wednesday 1 February 2012 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 13 January 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

2012 has arrived!

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

2012 has arrived! And a new year has begun.  May the coming year bring prosperity and the very best outcomes to our wonderful Island community.

Whilst the next sitting of the Legislative Assembly is not until Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 10 am, Members commence coming together again on a weekly basis on Tuesday 10 January 2012.

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