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National Parliament of Solomon Islands News and Information Parliamentary Strengthening Project |
THURSDAY 22ND DECEMBER This current meeting of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands has been adjourned on Wednesday the 21st of December 2011 and will resume on the 12th of January 2012. During the first half of the 3rd meeting of this 9th Parliament, the house passed the following bills:
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2011 seeks to authorise the legal authorization on supplementary expenditure of $141,408,348, of which $51,917,361 is issued under Contingency Warrants, $40,194,500 issued under Advance Warrant and $49,296,487 to supplement recurrent and development expenditures. The ‘Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2011’ bears the objective to increase the income tax free threshold or personal income tax exemption under the Income Tax Act from SBD$7800 to SBD$15080. SBD$7800 is the present total amount calculated out of every person’s annual income to be tax free. But as a result of Parliament passing the bill, on Tuesday 13 December, the income tax free threshold amount has been amended and increased to SBD$15080 and is expected to come into effect as of January 1st 2012. Thus, as of next year those whose annual income is $15080 will be exempted from the ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) tax. Further inquiries to NPSI Media Officer: Joy Rikimae - Tele: 28520/27840/7558005 email: joy.rikimae@parliament.gov.sb FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER Leader of Opposition, Hon. Dr Derek Sikua has filed another motion to inquire into the development process of the proposed Doma Township for today, Friday the 16th of December 2011. The motion sought to inquire and report on the process of how the Doma Township Project was initiated, how the funds were allocated, managed and administered and when the project will be completed. That the committee report prior to the end of the budget meeting of Parliament in 2012 according to the provisions of Standing Order 72; and that it will be comprised only of Members of Parliament appointed by the Speaker. The committee will have the power:
The proposed Doma Township development was initiated after the once Guadalcanal provincial Headquarter area in Honiara City was return to the state and the area sold to one local businessman in Honiara. Further inquiries to NPSI Media Officer: Joy Rikimae - Tele: 28520/27840/7558005 email: joy.rikimae@parliament.gov.sb FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER A motion to appoint a Special Select Committee to inquire into and report on the Solomon Islands position in relation to the plight of West Papua has been noticed for today, Friday the 16th December 2011. Member for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale filed the motion on Monday 12th December 2011, particularly to:
The Committee is to comprise persons appointed by the Speaker and report directly to Parliament according to the provisions of Standing order 72. That the Committee has power:
West Papua is the Western half of the Island of New Guinea. It borders the independent state of Papua New Guinea and lies just 250km north of Australia. Previously a Dutch colony along with the islands that now make up Indonesia, West Papua remained under Dutch control when the Republic of Indonesia became an independent nation state in 1949. The indigenous population is 1million Melanesian Papuans. In 1961 after the indigenous people declared independence, West Papua was invaded by Indonesian Military and conflicts broke out between the Netherlands, Indonesia and the indigenous population regarding control of the country. Because of the wide resistance against Indonesian rule, the Indonesian Military had killed and imprisoned thousands of Papuans in the seven years it had occupied the country. West Papua has remained under the control of Indonesia ever since. Further inquiries to NPSI Media Officer: Joy Rikimae - Tele: 28520/27840/7558005 THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER
Clockwise from top left: Prime minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo welcoming the YWPG during the inauguration dinner at Sea King Restaurant on the 15th of Dec 2011, Speaker Lunches YWPG at the YWPG inauguration dinner at Sea King Restaurant on the 15th of Dec 2011, Chairlady of the YWPG, Natalina Hong giving her speech at the opening of the inauguration program on the 15th Dec 2011 The National Parliament of Solomon Islands officially launched the Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG) today the 15th of December 2011. All Members of Parliament, stakeholders and the media were there to witness the event. This is the first time for the National Parliament to have such a group, thanks to the UNDP Parliamentary Strengthening project for initiating the idea. The idea of having a Young Women’s Parliamentary Group came about due to the fact that in the history of National Parliament of Solomon Islands has only been one woman MP. This suggests work is needed on women’s participation at a national level in politics. The group has grown from 20 members to 40 since it was established mid this year, and has gained the support of the Prime Minister; the National Parliament of Solomon Islands’ Parliamentary House Committee; the Speaker of National Parliament of Solomon Islands and the Chairman of the National Council of Women who are all Patrons of the group. Currently the two activities that the group has engaged in are:
The group’s vision: is to create space for young women to experience and participate in leadership. Its mission is to: recognise, allow and build emerging young leaders to reach their full potentials to influence positively in their communities and networking young women with current leaders, to enhance and develop young women in national leadership. Selection of members was based on young women who have been involved in a lot of community work. The National Parliament tried as much as possible to get a good representation from all government ministries, private, public and even church and sports groups. An Executive selected by the group membership manages activities and attends meetings or workshops on behalf of the group. All group Patrons officiated at the opening. Notes for Editors The group’s patrons are: the Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Parliamentary House Committee, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and the Chairman of the National Council of Women. Further inquiries to NPSI Media Officer: Joy Rikimae - Tele: 28520/27840/7558005 email: joy.rikimae@parliament.gov.sb WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has begun its enquiries into the 2012 draft budget estimates on Wednesday the 14th of December 2011. Hon. David Tome, Chairman of the PAC in his opening statements said PAC continues to be the Parliament’s Primary Mechanism for Financial scrutiny of the executive, thus the review of the appropriation is the most important by which the committee undertake its task of financial scrutiny on behalf of the Parliament. He informed and assured that the hearing is protected by Parliamentary privilege. “As such what is said in any of these hearings cannot be later used against you in any legal proceedings whatsoever,” Hon. David told witnesses. He added that because of the strength of this privilege, the committee expected all witnesses to ensure that their answers are truthful and are confined to matters relevant to the questions asked by members. He, however, warned that providing false evidence to the committee is contempt of committee for which Parliament may act on. The Ministry of Finance and Treasury was the first to appear before the committee, seconded by the Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Shadrach Fanega in his opening statement described the 2012 budget as a very exciting budget and said, “The 2012 budget is one that has been built on the improvements that have been established in the 2011 budget and it is the biggest budget ever, based on the record revenue levels.” He also introduced the budget theme as “Strengthening the capacity to provide infrastructure and to deliver better quality services for all Solomon Islanders.” The 2012 total budget is estimated at $3.17billion. There is no set hearing schedule as yet due to arrangements that PAC will meet whenever Parliament is not meeting. Further inquiries to NPSI Media Officer: Joy Rikimae - Tele: 28520/27840/7558005 email: joy.rikimae@parliament.gov.sb |
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