STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE MEMBERS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AND SPECIAL PETITIONS: DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT: STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE MEMBERS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ANS SPECIAL PETITION 2005

Report of the Standing Committee Private members Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions, as follows:

Ms MP Mentor MP (Chairperson)

1.Introduction

National Parliament does not have an Act in place to deal specifically with petitions or legislative proposals. The only thing we basically rely on are the Rules of Parliament, which governs the functioning of the Committee. The overriding factor to be borne in mind when dealing with petitions and Legislative proposals is the principle of public participation as enshrined in the Constitution. Members of the public should in essence feel that their voices are being heard and that their concerns have been met by an interactive process between themselves and their elected representatives.

A private Legislative proposals is a legislative proposal initiated by a member of either House who is not a Minister.

A petition, on the other hand, is a request either for a demand for a favour or for the redress of an injustice. In its simplest form, a petition is a way of bringing grievances to the attention of the legislative authority.

Vision:

To deal with private legislative proposals after a memorandum has been referred to the Committee by the Presiding Officer and to deal with petitions after the petition have been tabled and referred by the Speaker to the Committee.

2. SUPPORT

2.1 Control Committee Secretary: Mr Lusanda Myoli: Period from August 2005 to November 2005

2.2 Committee Secretary: Ms Zodwa Mahapa Period From
2.3. Committee Secretary: Kholisile Lobi: Period from September 2005 to December 2005

2.4 Committee Assistant: Mr. Sidwell Mahlabela: Period from September 2005 to December 2005

2.5 Secretary to Chairperson: Ms N Fakir: Period from May 200 to December 2005

3. ESTABLISHMENT

Section 210. (1) of the rules of the National Assembly provides for the establishment of Standing Committee on Private Members Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions.

Pursuant to this Rule of the national Assembly the Standing Committee on Private Members and Special Petitions must consider and make recommendations to the Assembly on:

(a) all legislative proposals made by Assembly members intending to introduce bills and referred to the Committee in terms of Part 2 of Chapter 13 of these national Assembly Rule and

(b) all special petitions referred to the Committee by the Speaker in terms of Rule 315.

4. NARRATIVE LEGISLATION

The Committee only considers Private Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions.

5.COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Committee met 11 times from 02 March 2005 to 15 November 2005.

6.LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

The Standing Committee on Private Members Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions received 3 Legislative Proposals: (1) Legislative Proposal on the Magistrate Courts Amendment Bill by Mr LK Joubert MP

(2) Legislative Proposal on Admission of Advocates Amendment Bill by Adv HC Schmidt MP

(3) Legislative Proposal on Establishment of Represented Political Parties Election Fund Bill by Mr PF Smith MP

7 SPECIAL PETITIONS

The Standing Committee on Private Members Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions received 2 petitions: (I)Petition for Pension by Ms CJ Kellerman.

(2)Petition for injury on duty compensation by Mrs H van der Merwe

8. Budget of the Committee.

Expenditures of the Committee are reflected in the attached financial statements.

9. Outstanding Matters:

(1) Legislative Proposal on the Magistrates Court Amendment Bill by Mr LK Joubert MP.

(2) 'Legislative Proposal Establishment of Represented Political Parties Fund Bill by Mr PF Smith MP.

(3) Petion for Pentions by Mrs CJ Kellerman

(4) Petition for injury on duty compensation by Mrs H van der Merwe

Report to be considered.

Ms MP Mentor, MP.

.........………………….                   …………………………………….
Committee Secretary               Date

....................................                ………………………………..
Control Committee Secretary          Date