Overview of the speaker
Legislatures are indispensable cornerstone of democracies; the are conduits representing the voice of the electorate and the citizenry; and are therefore fundamental institutions championing and entrenching democratic principles. This overview explicates the road traversed and the quest of the Free State Legislature in its effort to ensure effective public representation; legislation -making; oversight of the executive Counsil; and advocating legislative integrity, openness and transperancy.The compilation of and achievement of the Free State legislature are indicative of its unwavering zest for insuring a better life for all inhabitants of the province including Cooperative governance, and adherence to constitutional obligation.
------------------------------------------------
Women’s Parliament is one of the key Legislative Sector initiatives in support of public participation in the business of Parliament. It is specifically targeted at women as the key drivers and participants. This is however done while appreciating the critical role which men play in all the relevant matters. It is thus a Women’s Parliament, for women and by women, but it is also and importantly, not an exclusivist initiative.
The Women’s Parliament in 2010 will focus on further capacitating women to confront challenges caused by poverty. The theme for the year is Celebrating the legacy of Mandela, Contributing towards Nation Building
.
------------------------------------------------
House at Work
The most important functions of the provincial Parliament are to make laws for the Province, to provide a forum for public debate, to oversee the Executive (government) and to hold the government to account.
After a general election, the provincial Parliament convenes to swear in the elected Members and to elect a Speaker who chairs meetings of the House and a Premier who heads the governmen
------------------------------------------------
Legislature Business
Committees play a very important role in the legislative process and are often regarded as the "engine-rooms" of Parliament. All Bills must be debated and passed by a vote in the House before they can become Acts. Committees are required to study legislation in detail so that comprehensive preliminary debate takes place before the legislation goes to the House for further debate and decision. The Standing Rules make provision for the establishment of two types of select committees, viz. standing select committees (also referred to as portfolio committees) and ad hoc select committees.
Please note the last sitting of the legislature will convene as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 06 December 2011
Venue: 4th Raadsaal
Time: 10:00 [Morning}
COMMITTEE UPDATE
Schedule of Committee meetings for the week of 28 November – 02 December 2011 is as follows:
1. Monday, 28 November 2011
Portfolio Committee on Police, Roads and Transport
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: Committee Room 1, 6th Floor,
Southern Life Plaza, Bloemfontein.
Purpose: Briefing by Department of Police, Roads and Transport on the following:
- Annual report of the Department for 2010/11 financial report,
- 2nd Quarterly report of the Department
2. Tuesday, 29 November 2011
2.1. Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts, Finance, Office of the Premier and Legislature
Time: 08:00 – 16:00
Venue: Committee 2, 6th Floor,
Southern Life Plaza, Bloemfontein.
------------------------------------------------
