CPA NEWS
First CPA Australia and Pacific Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum deliberates climate change at 36th CPA Australia and Pacific Regional Conference The first CPA Australia and Pacific Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum has taken place and heard from a number of speakers on the ‘hot topic’ of the region ‘Deliberating climate change: the role of Parliaments and Parliamentarians’. With the ever increasing threats in the face of climate change to some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable and smallest nations especially in the Australia and Pacific Regions, the forum heard from Speakers and Members whose own jurisdictions are affected by climate change and from organisations like the UNDP working in the region to combat its effects. The CPA Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forums bring together not only Commonwealth Parliamentarians, but also academics, students, civil society organisations and the wider Commonwealth family.
The Regional Forum was opened by Hon. John Ajaka, MLC, President of the New South Wales Legislative Council and Member of the CPA Executive Committee. Speakers at the forum included: Speaker Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni, MP, (Fiji); Deputy Speaker Hon. Mona Ioane, MP, (Cook Islands); Hon. Mark Parnell, MLC (South Australia); Hon. Ruth Forrest, MLC (Tasmania); Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana, MP (Solomon Islands); Hon. Albert Abel Williams, MP (Vanuatu); Mr Jonathan O’Dea, MP (New South Wales); Dr Kennedy Graham, President of the New Zealand Chapter of the Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE); Nanise Saune, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The CPA Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum was held in the margins of the 36th CPA Australia and Pacific Regional Conference in New South Wales where public engagement was on the agenda for Parliamentarians. The CPA New South Wales Branch and the Parliament of New South Wales hosted the 36th CPA Australia and Pacific Regional Conference in Sydney, Australia and Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff attended the conference from CPA Branches across the two regions.
New South Wales Parliament inaugurates new parents’ room Earlier this year the Parliament of New South Wales opened a dedicated parents’ room, providing a quiet haven for parents, carers and children amidst the bustle of the Parliament. The room provides much-needed facilities for the care of babies and young children and is a welcome addition for both Members and staff. The parents’ room is located in a repurposed office space with three adjoining and has been equipped with the facilities, equipment and services to make the space suitable and safe for children of all ages. This includes two cots, a day bed, a change table, microwave, a kitchenette with kettle and sink, two rocking chairs, toys, books, play mat, television and DVD player with a selection of children’s movies. Towels and linen are provided and the room is checked daily by staff. So as to not disturb sleeping children the division bells have been disabled in the room and blinds installed to block out the midday sun. Members are able to keep an eye on the proceedings of both chambers, which is broadcast internally. A workstation has also been set up in the room, with a phone and computer with the intention of allowing parents to work whilst their young ones sleep. The parents’ room is not the first measure taken by the Parliament to accommodate the needs of working parents. The New South Wales Parliament was the first state Parliament in Australia to be accredited by the Australian Breastfeeding Association, as well as the relaxing of protocols concerning young children on the floor of both Chambers
introducing family friendly sitting hours and installing publicly accessible change facilities on the general access level. The changes follow an increase in the number of young female Members and nursing mothers within the building and are designed to encourage greater participation of women in parliamentary and political life. The introduction of the parents’ room is one step towards ensuring the Parliament of New South Wales is family friendly and accommodating to Members with young families, helping them meet their responsibilities more easily. Hon. Shelley Hancock, MP, Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and Member for South Coast said: “As the first female Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, I am determined to remove the barriers to female participation that exist within the parliamentary precinct. I thank the former President, Hon. Don Harwin, MLC, the current President and parliamentary staff who have supported me in this endeavour.” For further information on the Parliament’s parents’ room please contact speaker@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue Four | 339