The Centre for Democratic Institutions

Transcription

1 The Centre for Democratic Institutions CABODIAN PARLIAENTARY STUDY TOUR September - October 2001 Introduction The Cambodian Parliamentary Study Tour was undertaken in two parts. The first group visited the NSW Parliament from September 19-26, and the second group visited the Victorian Parliament from October The foundation of the project was laid in 1999 when CDI Director Roland Rich undertook a needs analysis of the Cambodian Parliament for AusAID. One of the results of this work was the commencement of a course entitled English for Parliamentarians, in which over 40 Cambodian parliamentarians and parliamentary officials participated. The 12 most successful participants (4 parliamentarians, 8 officials) were then selected to undertake the study tours. Aims of the Study Tours The National Assembly of Cambodia was established in 1993 and the Cambodian Senate was established in As with all institutions, organizational knowledge and experience are crucial to the effective functioning of the institution. Accordingly, to assist in consolidating and further developing parliamentary processes in both houses of the Cambodian Parliament, CDI facilitated tours of two of Australia's oldest parliaments, with an emphasis on exposing the study tour participants to a broad range of parliamentary activities and services. CDI was fortunate enough to have the enthusiastic support of the NSW and Victorian Parliaments. Group One: Visit to NSW Parliament The visit to the NSW Parliament was coordinated by the office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. He presented the delegation with an interesting program dealing with many different areas of the Parliament. The delegation observed the operation of both chambers in question time and met with Clerks of both houses, the manager of the Parliamentary Education and Community Relations, the Parliamentary Librarian, and the Clerk-Assistants (Committees and Procedure). They were also taken on a tour of the Drummoyne electoral office (in the seat held by Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, the Hon John urray).

2 Of particular interest according to the feedback from the delegation: The Schools Program: The delegation members were most impressed by this program, which ensures that all NSW school children are knowledgeable on the workings of the NSW Parliament from an early age. The delegates viewed this as a substantive building block for democracy. They considered themselves most fortunate to view the schools program in action and were determined to return to Cambodia and set into place a similar system for Cambodian schoolchildren. The staff of the parliament provided additional specific information to assist them in this regard. The Parliamentary Library: The delegation took careful interest in the use of the internet and appreciated the sound advice by the Parliamentary Librarian on how best to access other parliaments' websites. Although much of this technology was cutting edge and very expensive and hence out of range for the Cambodian Parliament, the Librarian explained that a simple effective networked information system can be created with modest means. The delegates were impressed with this information and decided to look into the issue further upon their return home. The Committee System: The delegation asked various questions about the rules pertaining to the appointment and composition of committee. uch interest was shown in the development of rules and procedures for the committees and whether the committee system was a truly effective governance mechanism. Question Time: The delegation was officially recognized (and noted in Hansard) during question time in the Legislative Assembly. Like the delegation to the Victorian Parliament, the delegates were surprised by the animated, seemingly ferocious, nature of Question Time. They appeared quite impressed by the frankness of the process. Creation and passage of bills: The group was also particularly interested in the interactions and relative powers of the two houses in the creation and passage of bills. The contrast to their own system in these processes intrigued them and hopefully the various exchanges with NSW Parliament officials on these issues gave the group ideas and impetus to improve there own processes. Group Two: Visit to Victorian Parliament The group was given a busy schedule meeting people from many different parts of the parliament. Amongst other things the group observed the operation of both chambers in question time, met with whips from the three major parties, government and shadow ministers, Clerks of both houses, Clerk of the Executive Council, anager of the Procedures Office, Hansard, the Joint Committees Administration Office, Head of Parliamentary Library and the Chair of Committees. Like the NSW visit, the group was particularly interested in several key areas: The Committee System: The most senior member of this group is Chair of the Committee for Economy, Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in the National Assembly. She and the group asked various questions

3 about the rules pertaining to the appointment and composition of committees. Achieving bi-partisanship in committees seemed to be of primary concern. Accordingly much interest was shown in the development of rules and procedures for the committees. Question Time: Although the Cambodian National Assembly also has a question time it is less frequent and it is approached as a mechanism for mediation of interests rather than one of accountability. The contrast was interesting for the visitors. They noted that such frequent and unrestrained questioning of the government made the government work hard, but also brought much pressure on the government to act properly. Gender Balance in Parliament: The leader of the delegation was also particularly interested in how the political parties attempted to bring a more equal gender representation to Parliament. s Ky Lum Ang had found it extremely difficult in Cambodia to recruit women to stand for politics in Cambodia. r Stephen carthur, Leader of Opposititon Business, r Peter Ryan, Leader of the National Party and rs Judy addigan, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees were drawn on this issue by s Ky. While reassuring r Ky that this problem was not confined to Cambodia, they did suggest methods which had been effective in bringing more women into politics in Australia. Creation and passage of bills: The group was also particularly interested in the interactions and relative powers of the two houses in the creation and passage of bills. The established role of the Victorian Legislative Council, as a balance to the Legislative Assembly, provided valuable examples of how the two houses could cooperate (or conflict) to establish better, more broadly relevant legislation. The group was surprised by the power of the Legislative Council to reject bills and the effect this had on the overall process. The elbourne group was also fortunate enough to have the help of r Hong Lim, a Cambodian born ember of the Victorian Parliament. r Hong Lim was able to meet several times with the group, including taking them to his electorate office, and assist them in understanding the subtleties which had been discussed through the program. Conclusion Both groups completed evaluation forms for the study tour which were unanimously positive. CDI would like to thank the Clerk's of the NSW and Victorian Parliaments for their efforts in putting the programs together. Thanks also to Wendy Blair and Jo Chapman respectively for handling the two delegation's activities so completely.

4 Program - New South Wales Wednesday 19 September 9.25 am Arrive at Parliament House et by s Wendy Blair, Parliamentary Officer am eeting with r Russell Grove, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, for briefing on the New South Wales Parliament, Question Time and the relationship between embers and parliamentary staff am Tour of Parliament House with r Greg Kelly, Deputy Serjeant-at- Arms and s Wendy Blair pm Official Lunch 2.15 pm View Question Time in Legislative Assembly Chamber Thursday 20 September am eeting with r Graham Spindler, anager Parliamentary Education and Community Relations, to discuss the schools program View Question Time in Legislative Council Chamber 2.00 pm eeting with r Rob Brian, Parliamentary Librarian. Friday 21 September am Tour of the Legislative Council Chamber with s Jillian Harding, Parliamentary Officer am orning tea with Legislative Council staff am eeting with r John Evans, Clerk of the Parliaments and s Lynn Lovelock, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Council pm eeting with Legislative Council staff David Blunt, A/Clerk Assistant Committees. onday 24 September 9.15 am Depart Parliament House for visit to Drummoyne electorate office, accompanied by r Russell Grove and s Wendy Blair am Drummoyne Electorate Office. eeting with the Hon John urray P, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly am Depart for Parliament House

5 2.00 pm eeting with r ichael Orpwood, Deputy Parliamentary Counsel, to discuss the process of preparation of bills pm Depart Parliament House Tuesday 25 September am eeting with r Greg Kelly, Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms to discuss the relationship between Parliament and the public am View Schools programme in Legislative Assembly Chamber 1.00 pm eeting with r Les Gönye, Clerk-Assistant (Committees), to discuss the Committee system pm eeting with s Ronda iller, Clerk-Assistant (Procedure), to discuss the role of the Procedure Office and the relationship between embers and staff pm Official dinner hosted by r Russell Grove at Centre Point Tower Restaurant. Wednesday 26 September am eeting with Cabinet representative am eeting with r Russell Grove, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. [Certificate presentations, gifts given to NSW Parliament by Cambodian delegation].

6 Program - Victoria Wednesday 10 October am Delegation greeted by r Hong Lim P, ember for Clayton and r Ray Purdey, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly am orning Tea, hosted by the Honourable Alex Andrianopoulos P, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly & the Honourable Bruce Chamberlain LC, President of the Legislative Council am Tour of Parliament House 2.00 pm Question Time in the Legislative Assembly 3.00 pm eeting with Craig Langdon P, Government Whip 3.30 pm eeting with r Stephen carthur P, Leader of Opposition Business Thursday 11 October 9.00 am eeting with rs Helen Shardey P, Shadow inister for ulticultural Affairs 9.30 am eeting with s Lilian Topic, Parliamentary Adviser to the Speaker am eeting with s Helen Doye, Clerk of the Executive Council am eeting with the Honourable Keith Hamilton, inister for Agriculture and inister for Aboriginal Affairs 2.00 pm eeting with rs Liz Choat, anager Procedure Office 3.00 pm Tour of the Department of Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) (Briefing on the operation of Hansard followed by a demonstration of various reporting methods.) 3.30 pm Tour of the Parliamentary Gardens Friday 12 October eet with Representatives from the elbourne Cambodian Community at Clayton Electoral Office, hosted by r Hong Lim P

7 onday 15 October 9.30 am Tour of Victorian Parliamentary Committees, hosted by r ark Roberts, anager, Joint Committee Administration Office (JCAO) am eeting with r Geoff Westcott, Assistant Clerk and Clerk of Committees, Legislative Assembly, and r atthew Tricarico, Assistant Clerk and Clerk of Committees, Legislative Council 2.00 pm eeting with r Bruce Davidson, Parliamentary Librarian 3.00 pm eeting with r Steven Aird, Director, Corporate Services (Briefing of the role of the Director and the new structure of the Joint Services Department) 4.00 pm eeting with r Wayne Tunnecliffe, Clerk of the Legislative Council Tuesday 16 October 9.30 am eeting with r Graeme Spurr, Director, Infrastructure Services, Joint Services Department am eeting with r Gavin Bourke, Serjeant-at-Arms pm Official Lunch with the Presiding Officers 2.00 pm Attend Question Time in the Legislative Council 3.00 pm eeting with r Peter Clarebrough, anager, Training and Development 4.00 pm eet with r Bob Stensholt P, ember for Burwood Wednesday 17 October am eeting with r Peter Ryan P, Leader of the National Party am eeting with r John Isherwood, Catering anager (Briefing on the role of the catering department and other Parliament owned businesses) am eeting with rs Judy addigan P, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees 3.00 pm eeting with r Noel aughan P, National Party Whip, and r Ross Smith P, Opposition Whip 3.30 pm eeting with Ray Purdey, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

8 List of Participants New South Wales r Kim Sochetra Assistant to the Secretary General of State r Sao Chamnan Protocol Officer, Cambodian Senate. HE Hang Yuth ember of Parliament, National Assembly of Cambodia s Pum Siano F Protocol Officer, International Relations Section, Secretariat General of the Cambodian Senate r Pa Nyuong Teang Assistant to the Commission on Human Rights and Receipt of Complaints, Cambodian Senate r Sok akara Under Secretary of State, HRH Prince Norodom Ranariddh's Assistant HE s Ky Lum Ang F ember of Parliament, National Assembly of Cambodia r ak Kimlong Assistant to the Legislation Commission of the Cambodian Senate r Heng Chantheravuth Assistant to the Commission on Education, Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism r Pich Sambath Official of the Finance Section, Department of the Senate Victoria