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

Invitation to the Norfolk Island Branch of the CPA

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The Legislative Assembly will next meet on Wednesday 19 September 2012 at 10 am and elsewhere in the Norfolk Islander you will find detail of matters to be dealt with at this sitting.

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

Offcial Visit to Solomon Islands

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Report from Speaker Adams on her recent official visit to the Solomon Islands 23 to 27 July 2012

Each year Presiding Officers and Clerks from all the Australian and Pacific parliaments, or their deputies, come together to discuss parliamentary issues and items of interest common to parliaments in both regions. The Solomon Islands parliament was this year’s host for the 43^rd Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference at which all the Australian Parliaments were represented; as were the Pacific parliaments of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Tuvalu and the Republic of Vanuatu.

Norfolk Island played a meaningful role at the Conference in a number of ways. 

A jurisdiction report was presented giving a snapshot overview of some topics of interest, including 1) the recent motion passed by the House in July on self governance and taxation and the circumstances leading up to the motion; 2) the amendments to the Road Traffic Act which required the compulsory wearing of seatbelts; 3) the cultural and historical agreement signed between the Isle of Man and Norfolk last year; 4) the attendance of three of Norfolk’s young people working in London at the London CPA Commonwealth Day activities; and 5) Norfolk’s celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which included a ceremonial sitting of the House in June.

In my opening remarks I paid homage to the Solomon Islands for hosting the Conference and offered our congratulations on their successful hosting earlier in the month of the 11^th Festival of Pacific Arts in which Norfolk Island participated.  It was a great pleasure for me to reflect back on Norfolk Island’s historical link with the Solomon Islands through the Melanesian Mission College which operated on Norfolk between 1867 and 1919, leaving us a “bountiful” legacy including St. Barnabas Chapel and some wonderful Melanesian artefacts.

In presenting a paper titled “Creating Leaders of the Future – Youth in the Commonwealth” a visual presentation was made on the internet of the social media networking site titled “Youth in the Commonwealth” that was launched in March this year at the Norfolk Island Central School; a site which offers a vehicle for linking our Youth Assembly with other Youth Assemblies, Youth Parliaments and Youth Organisations in the Commonwealth to learn from and about each other. The intention of the presentation was to encourage the Presiding Officers and Clerks at the Conference to bring the networking site to the attention of their respective youth assemblies and parliaments as well as to build on Norfolk Island as a presence in the Commonwealth.

Norfolk Island was called upon to be the Chair for a number of meetings during the Conference.  The first being to chair two meetings of the Australian Region Management Committee which spanned some three hours in order to achieve outcomes that met the Regions expectations.

The third was for Norfolk, by invitation of the Pacific Region, to chair what was thought to be the first joint meeting of the CPA Australian and Pacific Region Branches.  This was a great honour and my opening remarks, which were carefully chosen, were, as best as I can recall, along these lines:

“Norfolk Island is honoured to be invited to chair this joint meeting of the Australian and Pacific Region CPA Branches; we sometimes feel Norfolk Island walks between the worlds; we walk in Polynesia and the Pacific with our culture, heritage and traditions; and we walk at the same time with Australia to whom we owe our loyalty”.

In choosing these words I looked to the publication “Our Near and Abroad – Australia and Pacific Islands regionalism” published last November by Professor Richard Herr and Anthony Bergin from which I quote –

“The Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands and Norfolk Islanders of Polynesian ancestry can serve as bridges from Australia into the region.”

Jurisdiction updates were also provided for each set of twinned parliaments on their twinning activities in the past 12 months.  Norfolk Island entered into a twinning partnership with Niue in May this year in tandem with the Northern Territory.

Thanks to the many valuable contacts made while at the Conference, I will be following up on some worthwhile initiatives including parliamentary education and member induction programmes, joint funding possibilities and working with Niue and the Northern Territory to build on our twinning partnership into the future to our mutual benefit.

August sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 8 August 2012 at 10 am.

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 3 August 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

From the Office of the Speaker 12 July 2012

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“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Matters brought before the Legislative Assembly on 11 July 2012

The Legislative Assembly met at 10 am on Wednesday 11 July.  All Members were present.

The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Noel Joseph May

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

1)              Chief Minister – Australian Information Commissioner – Privacy fact sheet

2)              Minister for Tourism, Development and Industry – Civil Aviation Safety Authority – Exemption

3)             Minister for Community Services – Traffic (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2012

4)              Minister for Community Services – Waste Management (Amendment) Regulations 2012

5)              Minister for Community Services – Ministerial Direction to the Norfolk Island Hospital Enterprise

6)             Chief Minister – Criminal Code Regulations 2012

7)             Chief Minister  - Waste Management (Amendment) Regulations 2012

8)             Chief Minister  - Postal Services (Amendment) Regulations 2012

9)             Chief Minister - Virement of Funds Advice

10)         Chief Minister - Norfolk Island Museum Trust Annual Accounts 2012

11)         Chief Minister – Customs Act 1913 – Approved Exemptions

12)         Minister for Tourism, Development and Industry – Norfolk Island Gaming Authority licence Bookmaker.com.au Pty Ltd

13)          Minister for Tourism, Development and Industry – Norfolk Island Gaming Authority licence Worldwide Wagering Pty Ltd

14)         Minister for Tourism, Development and Industry –Gaming Act 1998 – Report

15)         Minister for Tourism, Development and Industry –Bookmakers and Betting Exchange Act 1998 – Reports

16)         Speaker – Cultural Agreement between Isle of Man and Norfolk Island – Your Parliament Your Voice Report on Tynwald Day dated 5 July 2012

The following statements were made

Chief Minister – Immigration Development Working Group

Speaker - Assessment of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly Hansard system and IT requirements

Speaker – Cultural Agreement between Isle of Man and Norfolk Island – Report on Norfolk Island’s recognition of Tynwald Day; the Speaker read the letters exchanged between the Speaker and President Christian (see below for next of letters)

          The Speaker read Message No 29 from the Administrator under section 21 of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 advising that on 26 June 2012 he declared his assent to the Supply Act 2012.

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

1.              The motion titled “Preferred model of self government and taxation for Norfolk Island” was debated and passed with Mrs Griffiths and Mr Snell dissenting, and Ms Adams advising her abstention on the grounds that a referendum was required.  The House resolved to:

a)         Endorse the Norfolk Island Government’s commitment to participation in the Australian taxation and social security systems to deliver a net benefit to its community and to express a preference for the earliest introduction of those systems, and

b)         Affirms the inclusion of the island into the Australian GST and transfer payment system

c)         Reaffirm a preferred model for future self-governance as set out in the motion of the Legislative Assembly dated 3rd August 2011, and

d)         Commit to return core functions of Government through staged divestment of commercial enterprises using the Competition Principles Agreement 1995 as a policy framework

e)         Prepare and commit to an itemised timetable for the reduction and/or removal of barriers to investment and competition, reflecting a reasonable and balanced approach to individual areas, and

f)           Commit to supporting amendments to the Norfolk Island Act 1979 necessary to achieve the outcomes set out in this motion.

2.              The House unanimously endorsed the appointment of Mr Rael Donde as a member of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau Advisory Board consequent on the resignation of Alistair John Unicomb as a member.

3.              The House unanimously endorsed exemption of payment of customs duty as follows:  wire cables for fishing boat cranes imported by the Norfolk Island Fishing Association and an electronic score board for the Norfolk Island Junior ‘Rugby League;

4.              A motion moved by Mr King to note the financial accounts and audit report for the year 2010/11 tabled by the Chief Minister on 6 June meeting of the House was agreed on the voices

5.              The Ombudsman Bill 2011 together with amendments dated 5 June 2012 and tabled at an earlier sitting was unanimously agreed to

6.              The Lighterage (Amendment) Bill 2012 was agreed to, Mr Snell and Ms Adams dissenting

The Legislative Assembly will next meet on 8 August 2012 at 10 am.

Tynwald Day and the Isle of Man

In the 5 July edition of Your Parliament Your Voice we reported on how Norfolk acknowledged the Isle of Man’s National Day – Tynwald Day.  Under our Cultural Agreement with the Isle of Man we have agreed that as each step is progressed under the Agreement that recognition should be marked in the Hansard of both Parliaments.  Accordingly the Speaker read the following letters into Hansard at the 11 July sitting.

The Hon Clare M Christian BSc

President of Tynwald

Legislative Buildings

Douglas … Isle of Man .. IMI 3PW

BRITISH ISLES

Dear Madam President,

It gives me great pleasure to extend best wishes to you, your Parliament and the people of the Isle of Man as you come together to celebrate your National Day, Tynwald Day, on 5 July 2012. 

To acknowledge and honour Tynwald Day here on Norfolk Manx music is being played from 2 to 6 July 2012 on our local radio station VL2NI. 

On 5 July 2012 the Manx Flag will be flying alongside the Norfolk Island and Australian flags outside the Legislative Assembly Buildings at Old Military Barracks and at 8 am that morning I am talking, live to air, on our local radio station about your National Day.

It gives me so much pleasure to reflect back on my visit to the Isle of Man as your guest for last years Tynwald Day and to have participated in, and witnessed  first hand the ancient ceremonies and traditions in which your parliamentary practices and traditions are steeped.  The Cultural Agreement entered into between our respective parliaments acknowledges our historical links and encourages cultural activity to be developed between our two Islands and it has for me been a most rewarding first twelve months with many activities and links formed under this Agreement.  I look forward to recording our future accomplishments.

My Assembly colleagues join me in sending you and your colleagues very warm wishes from our side of the world for another wonderful Tynwald Day.  May you be blessed with brilliant sunshine and bright blue skies during the day’s proceedings.

Yours sincerely

Robin Adams JP MLA

Speaker

 
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The following response has been received from the President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian MLC

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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 12 July 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

Celebrating Tynwald Day – the Isle of Man’s National Day - Norfolk Island style

 “Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Celebrating Tynwald Day – the Isle of Man’s National Day - Norfolk Island style

In last week’s edition of Your Parliament Your Voice we showed how the Isle of Man acknowledged Norfolk’s National Day – Anniversary/Bounty Day – with flying of the Norfolk Island flag on June 8^th at the Isle of Man TT Grandstand.  The photo shows TT superstar John McGuinness and Department of Economic Development political member for tourism Mr Geoff Corkish MBE MHK (pictured above).

Today, 5 July 2012 is Tynwald Day and Norfolk honoured the Isle of Man’s National Day in a number of ways in recent days. Manx music has played regularly throughout the week on Radio Norfolk – thank you Radio Norfolk – and the Manx flag flew beside the Australian and Norfolk Island flags in front of the Legislative Assembly Building at Old Military Barracks.

Mrs Irene Turton who was born on the Isle of Man joined Speaker Adams at the radio station to talk about the Isle of Man and what happens there on their National Day. Our photos below show Irene cutting the yummy celebratory cake made by Caz at The Golden Orb.  Minister Nobbs and the Speaker were very pleased to celebrate Tynwald Day with Irene Turton, Beth (Pixie) Saxby, Joyce Lodge, Sue Christian Sills and Cathy Sills, all of whom have ancestors that hail from the Isle of Man and all of whom had; family treasures and photos to share.

 

  

The possibility of starting a Manx/Norfolk Society here under the Cultural Agreement was discussed as having great potential of bringing cultures together in a new and innovative way in the community.  Our intention is to grow and celebrate this linkage; if we have missed anybody – sorry – please let us know who you are for future inclusion.

  

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 5 July 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com