Finalisation and adoption of the Tourism Bill [B44-2012]

Meeting report

Tourism Bill [B44-2012]

The Chairperson asked Mr Sibusiso Khuzwayo, Committee Content Adviser, to take the Committee through the later versions of the Bill.

Mr Khuzwayo explained that there were two later versions of the Bill. There was an “A” version, which comprised of just the proposed amendments, and there was a “B” version, which was the original Bill with the proposed amendments incorporated. 

“A” version
Clause 5
On page 6, in line 16, to omit” may” and to substitute “must”.

Clause 40
      1. On page 14, line 8, to omit subparagraph (i) and to substitute:

“(i)      supervising the processes involved in the grading of tourism services, facilities and products;                        
    ensuring that such grading conforms to the national grading system for tourism contemplated in  
    section 28; and ensuring that standards set in terms of the grading system are maintained;”.

Clause 43
       1. On page 14, in line 35, to omit paragraph (b) and to substitute:

          “(b)   must appoint persons in posts on the staff establishment, including persons to assist the chief      
                   quality assurance officer in performing the functions contemplated in section 40(4)(b)(i).” .

“B” version
He also referred to the “B” version of the Bill, which was the original Bill with the proposed amendments incorporated. 

Deliberations
Mr R Shah (DA) pointed out that the proposed amendments were so few, even though the Committee had gone through so much deliberation on the Bill. He noted that both he and Mr S Farrow (DA) supported the Bill. The Democratic Alliance thus supported the Bill.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Khuzwayo and asked the legal advisers if they had any comments.

Mr Herman Smuts, Principal State Law Adviser, Office of the Chief State Law Adviser, Mr Gary Rhoda, Parliamentary Legal Adviser, and Mr Phutiane Letsoalo, Director: Legal Services National Department of Tourism had no comment.

The Chairperson proceeded to take the Committee through the “B” version of the Bill clause by clause.

Members assented to all the clauses of the Bill inclusive of the amendments made.

The Chairperson placed the entire Bill before the Committee for adoption and it was unanimously adopted as amended.

Mr Jerry Boltina, the Committee Secretary, asked whether the Committee wished to debate the Bill in the House.

The Chairperson said that it was up to the Committee, but was of the opinion that the Committee should debate the Bill as Members had deliberated on many of its clauses at length. There should also be accountability on why amendments had been made to the Bill.

Mr Farrow supported the Chairperson’s view and stressed that the Bill needed to be debated.

Mr Shah also agreed that the Bill should be debated and so did the rest of the Committee.

The meeting was adjourned.