look fi the part bout Charter of Rights.
Constitutional reform
We will seek to have discussions with the Opposition with a view to implementing those Constitutional reform proposals on which we have already agreed.
Human Rights
Constitutional reform
We will seek to have discussions with the Opposition with a view to implementing those Constitutional reform proposals on which we have already agreed.
Human Rights
- • The Charter of Rights Bill to strengthen and safeguard the rights of every citizen has again been tabled and we will seek the required support of the Opposition to enact it this year.
- • We are now ready to table the Bill to establish an Independent Authority to investigate abuses by members of the security forces.
- • We are also ready to table the Bill to establish a Special Coroner to conduct speedy inquests when citizens are killed by agents of the State in questionable circumstances.
- • We have held true to our promise to appoint Opposition members to chair critical oversight committees.
- • We have asked the Standing Orders Committee to consider a range of proposals to strengthen the role of Parliament and, in particular, the role of the Opposition in Parliament and we anxiously await the deliberations and recommendations of that Committee.
- • We have provided $23 million in this year’s budget to establish an Office of the Leader of the Opposition because we respect the constitutional role of the Leader of the Opposition and we believe that it should be adequately supported by the State.
- • We are committed to subjecting to parliamentary scrutiny the appointment of persons to sensitive posts including ambassadorial and statutory board appointments as soon as the Standing Orders Committee has worked out the procedures for the conduct of such oversight.
- • We stand ready to enact legislation to regulate the financing of political parties as soon as we have received the appropriate recommendations from the Electoral Commission.
- • We remain committed to having reports of oversight authorities such as the Auditor-General, Contractor-General, Political Ombudsman, Corruption Prevention and Integrity Commissions fully debated in Parliament and we are anxious that the Committee to which these matters were referred proceed with a greater sense of purpose.
(Excerpts of the PM's presentation.)
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