Ginninderra News - July 2005

From the Speaker’s desk

Code of Conduct for Members

ACT Legislative Assembly Speaker Wayne Berry has put on notice a code of conduct for members to be adopted as a ‘resolution of continuing effect’. The code was developed by the Administration and Procedure Committee, which Mr Berry chairs, following an inquiry and report in 2004.

The preamble to the code acknowledges the diversity of our community and commits members to respect and uphold the law; to not discredit the institution of parliament; and to maintain their commitment to public good. It also sets out the duties of members. These duties include adherence to the code; maintaining high standards of personal conduct; an obligation to electors; to act honestly; and to maintain the public trust placed in them.

Assembly to go on air

In June 2005 the Assembly conducted a trial of delayed broadcasts of Assembly question time on 2XX. The trial will be evaluated and if successful the Assembly will move to direct broadcasts.

“The Legislative Assembly affects everyone in Canberra, performing the roles of both local and State government. Everything from Education, Health and the Law to rates and rubbish are dealt with in the Assembly, so it is important that the people of Canberra are able to see and hear the work we do.”

“Another first for the Assembly is the introduction of an audio replay of question time on the Assembly web site. This has been trialled on the Assembly intranet since the election and we are now ready to extend the service to the public,” Wayne said.

Contact: http://www:parliament.act.gov.au

School Education Programs

The Assembly conducts a range of educational programs for school students of all age groups. They range from Assembly visits, to the Schools Constitutional Convention. The aim is to familiarise students with our democratic processes as well as the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Interschool parliamentary Debates

“I gained practice in public speaking”
“The range of debating topics was excellent”

Interschool parliamentary Debates were first held in 1997 as a preparation for the students who were later involved in the Youth Parliament program. The first of the 2005 debates, Youth Affairs, was held in June and there will be a second debate on Ecotourism in September. Questions without notice were particularly popular with the potential politicians.

Assembly Open Day

Saturday 17 September 2005 - All welcome for a behind the scenes tour