Happening at Parliament this week
The Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are scheduled to kickstart their 2019 programme with the joint sitting of Parliament for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by the President of the Republic on 7 February. The Presiding Officers of Parliament will during this week address the public on Parliament’s preparations and state of readiness for the 2019 SONA.
In the meantime, Committees of Parliament have already began their work to consider various bills and other business. During this week, 8 Committees from the NCOP and NA are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Included in the work of the Committees will be consideration of 4 Bills; namely the Property Practitioners Bill, National Land Transport Amendment Bill; National Gambling Amendment Bill and National Qualifications Framework Amendment Bill.
On Tuesday NCOP Select Committee on Finance will receive a briefing from the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provincial Treasuries on their 2017/18 budget outcomes. The Select Committee on Social Services will receive a briefing from the Department of Human Settlements on Property Practitioners Bill which seeks to repeal the Estate Agency Affairs Act, 1976, which was meant to provide for the Estate Agency Affairs Board and the Estate Agency Fidelity Fund and for the control of certain activities of estate agents in the public interest. The Select Committee on Economic and Business Development, will consider Negotiating Mandates on National Land Transport Amendment Bill.
On Wednesday, the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations will receive a briefing by the Department of Trade and Industry on the National Gambling Amendment Bill. The primary objective of the Bill is to protect society from over stimulation of latent gambling through the limitation of gambling by providing for the protection of players and integrity and fairness of the industry through strict control and supervisio.
Further, the creation of uniformity and harmonisation of policy and legislation at all levels of government across provinces through minimum norms and standards, cooperation and coordination. Further, the Bill seeks to create a generation of revenue and taxes for provincial governments and for good causes, economic empowerment of the historically disadvantaged and the promotion of economic growth, development and employment.
The Select Committee on Appropriations will consider the Committee’s 2019 First Term Programme and receive a presentation on the Second Quarter Provincial Conditional Grants Expenditure Report for the 2018/19 Financial Year, while the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises will consider the Legacy and Annual reports of the Committee.
The Select Committee on Education and Recreation will be briefed by the Department of Higher Education and Training on the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Bill; whose objectives is to create an enabling mechanism for the South African Qualifications Authority and the three Quality Councils to have legislative competence to address challenges with regard to fraudulent or misrepresented qualifications or part-qualifications.
In this regard, a provision is made for the referral of all qualifications or part-qualifications presented for study, employment or appointment to the SAQA for verification or evaluation. Furthermore, a provision is also made for the referral of fraudulent qualifications or part-qualifications to the relevant professional body. A provision has also been made for offences in respect of fraudulent qualifications or part-qualifications.
On Thursday the National Assembly Programme Committee will meet.
For the latest full schedule of committee meetings (updated regularly), please click:https://www.parliament.gov.za/whatson
Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo
Cell: 082 370 6930
