Date: 22/06/2004
Source: SA Parliament
Title: B Mbete: Parliament Budget Vote 2004/2005
PARLIAMENT BUDGET VOTE SPEECH BY MS B MBETE, SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 22 June 2004
The beginning of the 3rd democratically elected Parliament is an opportunity for us to look back over the past 10 years and to assess how far we have come. As we commence work with a new mandate, we have a responsibility to build on what has already been achieved since 1994.
I believe we can take a great deal of pride from what we have done. We have taken our law-making function very seriously and have passed many very important bills transforming our society in the interests of all our people. Almost every sector of society has benefited from this process.
What is also very important is the manner in which we have gone about our law-making function. We have rewritten the Rules to ensure that adequate opportunities are built in to engage with the public and that the whole process is open and transparent. We have also created a vibrant committee structure that has enabled us to devote the necessary detailed attention to each piece of legislation and to receive public submissions and give careful consideration to them. Over the years extensive public hearings have been held on a wide range of issues, thus ensuring active public involvement. Parliament has indeed become an institution of the people.
The Parliamentary Service has also been restructured and transformed to reflect our society and to be responsive to it. Parliament has become a hub of activity and there is ample evidence that people generally have developed a confidence that Parliament is ready and able to fulfil its constitutional mandate and change their lives for the better. The number of visitors we receive demonstrates the extent of public interest. We must ensure that the level of public confidence and engagement with the public are maintained and indeed increased.
Although we have made significant strides, I think we should all be aware that there is much left to be done. We should therefore approach our parliamentary programme, our strategic plans and our budget with that in mind. During the 2nd Parliament, discussions had already begun on areas that require adjustment and improvement and the 2nd Parliament left us with a range of legacy reports, which we need to take further. These include the reports on parliamentary oversight and on scrutiny of delegated legislation. The need for a rethink on the political management of the institution was also identified.
A particular issue that requires attention is how to improve on members staying in touch with the electorate. Some of the situations we saw during the election campaign - no doubt - attest to this. One of the ways to do this is through a revamped constituency work system. Some of the questions we must ask are: Do members have enough time on a regular basis to serve their constituencies effectively? Has enough been budgeted to enable members to carry out their duties to monitor and ensure delivery on the ground? Funds are provided for parties to set up constituency offices, but we now need to assess whether these offices should be party-political offices and how the whole constituency office system should be restructured. The former Speaker, Dr Ginwala tabled some proposals in this respect. The essence of the proposal was that we retain the present offices as Party-political offices as they clearly serve a purpose. In addition we must consider also establishing offices, in strategic areas, that are run by Parliament itself. Through the Parliamentary Offices members of the public can directly obtain information on parliamentary matters, can raise some issues of concern and also make submissions into policy and legislative debates. We should give this matter serious consideration in order to determine how best our plans and future budgets should cater for this.
The question whether adequate the resources are currently made available for MPs' work is an important one. Apart from reviewing the parliamentary calendar to ensure that more time is made available for members constituency work, there are other creative ways, which we should take further from the realm of ideas to improve the public's access to Parliament.
Although we have done much to make Parliament accessible to the people, there's lots of room for further improvements. We should consider whether public hearings by committees should not more frequently be held elsewhere than in Cape Town. Many poor people will remain outside of these activities if we keep them in Cape Town. The other matter is how technology, such as video-conferencing (which is already being used by the NCOP) and a Parliamentary radio-studio can be used to improve access. More resources should also be made available to inform people through electronic media - about the opportunities that exist for them to communicate with Parliament. Many South Africans continue not to know that they have a right to make submissions to parliamentary debates.
As I have mentioned, one of the legacy reports from the 2nd Parliament relates to Parliament's oversight function. As earlier indicated during this Debate, the recommendations adopted in the 2nd Parliament must be implemented systematically. Members and committees need to satisfy themselves that the laws they have made are being effectively implemented and are making the difference in people's lives that was intended. We must give more attention to the nature of the interface between the executive and members as representatives of the people. The problems and shortcomings raised in the Report of the Oversight and Accountability Ad Hoc Committee as adopted by the previous Joint Rules Committee are to be solved.
Issued by: SA Parliament
22 June 2004
Source: SA Parliament (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
Source: SA Parliament
Title: B Mbete: Parliament Budget Vote 2004/2005
PARLIAMENT BUDGET VOTE SPEECH BY MS B MBETE, SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 22 June 2004
The beginning of the 3rd democratically elected Parliament is an opportunity for us to look back over the past 10 years and to assess how far we have come. As we commence work with a new mandate, we have a responsibility to build on what has already been achieved since 1994.
I believe we can take a great deal of pride from what we have done. We have taken our law-making function very seriously and have passed many very important bills transforming our society in the interests of all our people. Almost every sector of society has benefited from this process.
What is also very important is the manner in which we have gone about our law-making function. We have rewritten the Rules to ensure that adequate opportunities are built in to engage with the public and that the whole process is open and transparent. We have also created a vibrant committee structure that has enabled us to devote the necessary detailed attention to each piece of legislation and to receive public submissions and give careful consideration to them. Over the years extensive public hearings have been held on a wide range of issues, thus ensuring active public involvement. Parliament has indeed become an institution of the people.
The Parliamentary Service has also been restructured and transformed to reflect our society and to be responsive to it. Parliament has become a hub of activity and there is ample evidence that people generally have developed a confidence that Parliament is ready and able to fulfil its constitutional mandate and change their lives for the better. The number of visitors we receive demonstrates the extent of public interest. We must ensure that the level of public confidence and engagement with the public are maintained and indeed increased.
Although we have made significant strides, I think we should all be aware that there is much left to be done. We should therefore approach our parliamentary programme, our strategic plans and our budget with that in mind. During the 2nd Parliament, discussions had already begun on areas that require adjustment and improvement and the 2nd Parliament left us with a range of legacy reports, which we need to take further. These include the reports on parliamentary oversight and on scrutiny of delegated legislation. The need for a rethink on the political management of the institution was also identified.
A particular issue that requires attention is how to improve on members staying in touch with the electorate. Some of the situations we saw during the election campaign - no doubt - attest to this. One of the ways to do this is through a revamped constituency work system. Some of the questions we must ask are: Do members have enough time on a regular basis to serve their constituencies effectively? Has enough been budgeted to enable members to carry out their duties to monitor and ensure delivery on the ground? Funds are provided for parties to set up constituency offices, but we now need to assess whether these offices should be party-political offices and how the whole constituency office system should be restructured. The former Speaker, Dr Ginwala tabled some proposals in this respect. The essence of the proposal was that we retain the present offices as Party-political offices as they clearly serve a purpose. In addition we must consider also establishing offices, in strategic areas, that are run by Parliament itself. Through the Parliamentary Offices members of the public can directly obtain information on parliamentary matters, can raise some issues of concern and also make submissions into policy and legislative debates. We should give this matter serious consideration in order to determine how best our plans and future budgets should cater for this.
The question whether adequate the resources are currently made available for MPs' work is an important one. Apart from reviewing the parliamentary calendar to ensure that more time is made available for members constituency work, there are other creative ways, which we should take further from the realm of ideas to improve the public's access to Parliament.
Although we have done much to make Parliament accessible to the people, there's lots of room for further improvements. We should consider whether public hearings by committees should not more frequently be held elsewhere than in Cape Town. Many poor people will remain outside of these activities if we keep them in Cape Town. The other matter is how technology, such as video-conferencing (which is already being used by the NCOP) and a Parliamentary radio-studio can be used to improve access. More resources should also be made available to inform people through electronic media - about the opportunities that exist for them to communicate with Parliament. Many South Africans continue not to know that they have a right to make submissions to parliamentary debates.
As I have mentioned, one of the legacy reports from the 2nd Parliament relates to Parliament's oversight function. As earlier indicated during this Debate, the recommendations adopted in the 2nd Parliament must be implemented systematically. Members and committees need to satisfy themselves that the laws they have made are being effectively implemented and are making the difference in people's lives that was intended. We must give more attention to the nature of the interface between the executive and members as representatives of the people. The problems and shortcomings raised in the Report of the Oversight and Accountability Ad Hoc Committee as adopted by the previous Joint Rules Committee are to be solved.
Issued by: SA Parliament
22 June 2004
Source: SA Parliament (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
