Visit by Australian Parliamentary Delegation

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
2 May 2006
VISIT BY AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

Chairperson: Dr A Luthuli (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Leaflet: Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the Republic of South Africa

SUMMARY
An Australian parliamentary delegation and the Committee discussed issues of transformation, focusing on gender issues and affirmative action in particular.

The Australian delegation expressed the wish to learn from the experiences of South Africa whilst the Committee seemed concerned about how Australia was redressing their past imbalances and the past treatment of their indigenous inhabitants.

MINUTES

The Chairperson welcomed the Australian parliamentary delegation and stated that since they were behind in time this would be a short meeting as some Members had already made arrangements to be elsewhere after 12h00. She asked both sets of Members to introduce themselves.

Discussion
Dr M Pheko (PAC) asked what exactly it was that they were supposed to talk about.

The Chairperson responded that it was an open discussion but the delegation had shown interest in discussing transformation.

Ms Judi Moylan (Delegation Leader and Member for Pearce Western Australia, Liberal Party) stated that they had come to South Africa because the two countries had a lot in common and even shared "fun" in sports all time. She stated that they were here to learn. Australia had contributed half a Billion Australian dollars to South Africa and so they had an interest in the country.

Dr Pheko stated that the greatest challenge to South Africa was economic liberation. The question of land was the most important to the Pan Africanist Congress. He stated that South Africans could not be economically liberated if there was no equitable redistribution of resources, including land.

Ms Gxowa (ANC) highlighted the advances and strides made by women in Parliament. She mentioned that African women were working together for total emancipation.

Ms S Camerer (DA) stated that it was a pity that the delegation could not witness Parliament's plenary sessions. It was a real rainbow from the gallery. The situation had changed from a male-dominated club club to a representative body.

Ms Moylan mentioned that Australian women from across parties worked together when it came to issues relating to women. One such case had been an abortion drug issue. The women in Parliament worked together despite their political differences.

Ms Irwin (Deputy Leader of the delegation, Member for Fowler, New South Wales, Labour Party) stated that Australia had a very good parliamentary committee system like South Africa.

Ms Kay Hull (Member for Riverina, New South Wales, The Nationals) asked what type of issues were currently being discussed in South Africa’s committees.

Mr P Ditshetelo (UCDP) stated that the issues being discussed included stability, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the African Union, human and women’s rights as well as children's rights. He stated that large political strides had been made and all concurred on this. There was also agreement on economic issues although approaches differed.

Mr D Maluleke (ANC) asked how affirmative action was being dealt with in Australia.

Ms Moylan stated that there was no quota policy in Australia although non-discriminatory laws had been passed.

Senator Gavin Marshall (Senator for Victoria, Labour Party) mentioned that Australia had an appalling record of treatment of indigenous people. He and the government were ashamed of this history. Australia did not have quotas but targeted assistance and aid to those communities that had suffered previously. Australians across the political spectrum were ashamed of their past.

The Chairperson mentioned that she was also interested in the issue of affirmative action. She stated that the advantage of having the system was that it was measurable and progress could be judged and assessed. How did Australia judge progress without having affirmative action as a formal system?

Ms Hull stated that positive steps had been taken. A system of financial assistance and land councils had been established. There was also a committee structure dealing with community development.

Mr L Labuschagne (DA) asked if Ministers of the Australian government were summoned to the committees and whether they actually appeared. How was the speaking time allocated? Did Ministers' time count as party time? For the positions of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson was it always a member from the ruling party and the opposition respectively?

Ms Moylan affirmed that the Chairperson was always from government and the Deputy Chairperson from the opposition. Ministers did appear before committees and time was allocated often by negotiation between the Speaker and the Chief Whips. Time allocation was fairly generous and the rule of thumb was 20 minutes for Ministers but this could be cut to 10 minutes.

The meeting was adjourned.