African Renaissance & International Co-operation Fund Bill: voting

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International Relations

03 October 2000
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Meeting Summary

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Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
3 October 2000
AFRICAN RENAISSANCE AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION FUND BILL: VOTING

Relevant Document
African Renaissance and International Co-operation Fund Bill

Summary
The Committee members of the ANC accepted the Bill. The Bill was passed with the IFP, NNP and PAC abstaining. The opposition parties abstained as they had not had the opportunity to discuss the Bill at their party caucuses. It was decided that the Bill would be taken to the caucus of the IFP, PAC and NNP. These parties would inform the Chairperson of the caucus mandate of each party on the Bill by the afternoon on 4 October so that preparations could be made for a debate on the Bill in the House on 6 October.

Minutes
Due to the lack of a quorum the meeting began late. The Acting Chairperson, Mr Sithole, asked the State Law Advisor for his opinion on the Bill.

Mr Sivhaga Netshitomboni, the State Law Advisor, stated that he was satisfied with the Bill, that there were no problems with it and that it was in accordance with the Constitution and other legislation.

The Chairperson thanked the State Law Advisor and proceeded to read the long title of the Bill. Mr Ramgobin (ANC) moved for the Bill and was seconded by Ms Hajaij (ANC).

Mr Geldenhuys (NNP) stated that he had been busy with other Bills and had not received this Bill in time to review it. As he still had take to take it to his caucus, he would therefore have to abstain from voting on it.

Ms Mars (IFP) stated that she was in the same position as Mr Geldenhuys and would also abstain from voting since this was the first chance she had to look at the Bill.

Dr Pheko (PAC) stated that he had received the Bill late and therefore had not had a chance to look at the Bill and did not have a mandate from his caucus. As a result he would also abstain.

Mr Ramgobin (ANC) said that although he understood the predicament of Mr Geldenhuys, Ms Mars and Dr Pheko, there had been a special meeting in which the Director-General Sipho Pityana had briefed Committee Members on the Bill - even the media had been present. He stated that he was not precluding the right of the members to abstain from voting but felt that this Bill needed to go ahead and should be passed without the vote of the parties who were unable to vote.

The Chairperson stated that the Bill had not been passed at the previous meeting for the same reason and that he would make sure that members had the Bill well in advance in future.

Mr Ramgobin (ANC) stated that this was by far the shortest Bill and that it was unlikely that there were any fundamental differences between the parties on the Bill and was keen that it be taken to Parliament on Friday 6 October.

Ms Mars (IFP) stated that she was in agreement with this and could take it to her caucus by Thursday and have answer by Thursday afternoon.

It was decided that the Chairperson would be alerted to the position of the opposition parties on the Bill by 2pm on Thursday, which would allow the ANC enough time to develop a support argument if the need arose.

The ANC Committee members proceeded to vote on the Bill and it was decided that the Bill be voted on as a whole rather than clause by clause. The Committee passed the Bill.

The Chairperson stated that there would be an informal meeting thereafter with the British High Commission and urged members to attend. The meeting was adjourned.

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