Falklands : LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING THURSDAY, 26 July 2012 Part 1:
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 28.07.2012 (Article Archived on 11.08.2012)
A meeting of Legislative Assembly took place at 0930hrs on Thursday, 26 July 2012 in the Court and Assembly Chamber of the Town Hall. Present were the Speaker, Mr Keith Biles, the Clerk of Assembly, Ms Claudette Anderson-Prior, the Chief Executive, Mr Keith Padgett, the acting Financial Secretary Ms Nicola Granger, MLAs Cheek, Edwards, Elsby, Hansen, Halford, Short and Sawle
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING
THURSDAY, 26 July 2012
Part 1:
Transcript and Commentary by J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of Legislative Assembly took place at 0930hrs on Thursday, 26 July 2012 in the Court and Assembly Chamber of the Town Hall. Present were the Speaker, Mr Keith Biles, the Clerk of Assembly, Ms Claudette Anderson-Prior, the Chief Executive, Mr Keith Padgett, the acting Financial Secretary Ms Nicola Granger, MLAs Cheek, Edwards, Elsby, Hansen, Halford, Short and Sawle Proceedings began with Prayers by the Rev Dr Richard Hines of Christ Church Cathedral.
The first order of business was the Oath of Allegiance by Group Captain Alistair William Douglas Craig, who stands in for CBSAI Brigadier Bill Aldridge. Conformation of the record of the meeting of Legislative Assembly held on the 23rd and the 25th of May 2012 took place and the record was signed.
Unusually, a personal Statement from the Chief Executive, Mr Keith Padgett, took place. His statement, as read out, is as follows:
Mr Speaker, if I could just indulge the House for a few moments? I ask Honourable Members to refer to page 26 of the record – the 3rd paragraph of page 26. At this point in the meeting I was attempting to clarify the position regarding the Customs resolution. This was in response to a question from the Honourable Mike Summers regarding procedure.
Unfortunately I inadvertently mislead the House and I would like to put that right. The record of the meeting is correct in that it sets out the advice I gave but I need to correct that advice.
Whilst it was correct to say that Motions are generally placed on the agenda before Bills are considered, it’s not the case that Motions to amend the Customs Ordinance have always come prior to the Appropriation Bill. It has historical process therefore different to the standard procedure for Motions.
The Amendment process this year sought to rectify the situation but obviously caused further confusion. They will therefore be reviewed before next year’s budget session to ensure that the issues raised at May’s Assembly are avoided.
I did take the opportunity to correct my advice at Budget Select Committee but the General Public were not present at that meeting and I feel it important that an incorrect statement in the House is not allowed to stand.
I realise that in the British Parliament such an admission would be treated with howls of anguish and jeers of derision. And I hope that Honourable members will accept my apology in the spirit intended.
Papers to be laid on the Table by the Hon the Chief Executive:
(Copies of Subsidiary Legislation Published in the Falkland Islands Gazette since the last sitting of the Legislative Assembly and laid on the table pursuant to Section 34.1 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance 1977)
1. Probation of Psychoactive Substances Order 2012
2. Immigration Exemption Order 2012
3. Coins Order 2012
4. Coins No 2 Order 2012
5. Fishery Products Hygiene Regulations 2012
6. Capital Equalisation Fund Order 2012
7. Fishery Products Hygiene Ordinance 1998 Repeal Order 2012
8. Fishery Products Designation Amendment Order 2012
9. And in Accordance with Section 82 of the Constitution, the Following Audit Reports:
a. Audit Completion Report Year End 30th June 2011
b. Internal Audit Report on Pensions Follow-up Report
c. Fisheries Department
d. Cash and Bank
e. And PWD Highways.
10. And in Accordance with Section 11of the Public Accounts Committee Ordinance 2009, the Comments of the Public Accounts Committee in respect of the Falkland Islands Meat Company Accounts for the year ended 30th of June 2011
Motion No 5/2012 by the Hon Ian Hansen:
That this House notes the comments of the Public Accounts Committee in respect of the Audit Strategy Memorandum for the year ended 30 June 2011.
IH: Mr Speaker, I wish to propose this Motion
The Honourable Mr Gavin Short Seconded the Motion. There was no debate or was there any objection to passing the Motion and it was passed.
Motion No 6/2012 by the Honourable Ian Hansen:
That this House notes the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Agricultural Grant Schemes.
IH: Mr Speaker, I wish to propose this Motion
The Honourable Mr Gavin Short Seconded the Motion. There was no debate or was there any objection to passing the Motion and it was passed.
KB: I would note that both of these reports will require – since they contain comments and recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee – a report back to the House from the Governor in Council within 6 months.
Legislation:
The Finance Amendment Bill 2012:
The Bill has not been published in the Gazette and required a first reading. The Acting Financial Secretary proposed the first reading and the Chief Executive seconded the Motion.
NG: Mr Speaker, Honourable members; Shortly after Executive Council in June, Honourable members announced the intention to consider increasing Retirement Pensions from 01 July 2012, rather than January 2013 as previously provided for in the Finance Bill 2012.
Yesterday Executive Council approved that the 4% increase be retrospectively applied from 01 July 2012. This Bill provides the necessary amendments to legislation to implement this change. Seeing the Assembly passes this Bill, pensioners will receive an additional payment together with their August pension.
I beg to move that the Bill be read a second time.
The Honourable Chief Executive seconded the Motion. There was no debate and the Bill was dealt with by the short procedure and passed.
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