National Youth Commission Amendment Bill: voting

Meeting report

JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, CHILDREN & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
5 June 2000
NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL: VOTING

SUMMARY
The NNP voted against the Bill and the DP abstained. All other parties present at the meeting voted in favour of the Bill. The Bill was passed with no amendments.

MINUTES
The Chairperson said that the Bill must go to plenary on 7 June and for this reason they had to pass it that day. She asked if there were any objections to the Bill.

Mr Da Camara (DP) said that they objected to the whole process, saying that the Bill had been rushed and that there had not been a opportunity for them to take the Bill to their parties for a proper discussion. Therefore they had no mandate and it was impossible to vote.

Mr Nel (ANC) said that he did not think that the Bill had been rushed. Further, the Bill does not address fundamental issues, it simply deals with streamlining the Commission. He added that he thought that the DP would ''be overjoyed'' at this. He suggested that they proceed with voting on the Bill.

Two committee members agreed with Mr Nel, saying that all the members had had sufficient time to look at the Bill and suggested that they proceed with voting.

Mr Da Camara said that they had no major disagreement with the content of the Bill, they were simply saying that the process was wrong. They have not gone even through the informal stage of consideration, let alone a formal stage. He also complained that there had been late notice of the meeting and because of the late notice, Mr Gore (DP) was unable to attend and vote.

The Chairperson said that she noted the DP's dissatisfaction but that they would continue with voting. The motion of desirability was read and seconded. The DP and the NNP noted their objections. The Committee then voted on the Bill. Ten members voted in favour of the Bill. The DP (1) abstained, the NNP (1) voted against the Bill. The report was read and adopted. The Bill was passed.

The DP noted that they wanted to debate the Bill. Mr Nel pointed out that a debate has already been scheduled.

The meeting was adjourned.