Civil Union Bill: Report on provincial hearings; Film and Publications Amendment Bill: discussion

Home Affairs

10 October 2006
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Meeting report

HOME AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
10 October 2006
CIVIL UNION BILL 2006: REPORT ON PUBLIC HEARINGS & FILM AND PUBLICATIONS AMENDMENT BILL PROPOSED HEARINGS ON 16 OCTOBER

Chairperson:
Mr HP Chauke (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Submission by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies
Submission by the Commission on Gender Equality
Submission by the Joint Working Group
Submission by the South African Council of Churches
Submission by the South African Human Rights Commission

SUMMARY
The meeting was a short one aimed purely at obtaining feedback from Committee members about the public hearings on the Civil Union Bill. The exercise had worked well. Committee members commented favourably upon the opportunity to liaise with the public, and expressed appreciation to all who had been involved. A consolidated report was now being prepared and would be presented to the Committee on 16 and 17 October, whereafter the Committee could discuss whether and how the submissions could be incorporated into the Bill.

The Chairperson reported that representatives from the print media had been invited to make submissions on the Film and Publications Amendment Bill on 16 October.

MINUTES
The Chairperson indicated that this was going to be a very short meeting, aimed purely at getting feedback from the Committee members about what transpired during the public hearings on the Civil Union Bill and the submissions received. The schedule for adopting the Bill might be slightly changed as the Committee was waiting for responses from all the involved parties, particularly for a Consolidated Report from the Committee section and the Research and Resource Unit. The full summary of submissions would be discussed with a view to incorporating the points raised into the Bill. The report would be presented on 16 and 17 October.

He reported that on 16 October the stakeholders from publications were invited to come and present their views on the Film and Publications Amendment Bill. The Chairperson was particularly interested in hearing the views of the Editor of The Star who had allowed a questionable advert to appear on 14 October, advertising that a 12-year old black Brazilian was available, which he regarded as promoting child trafficking and running contrary to the principles of protection of minors from abuse.

Discussion

Mr F Beukman (ANC) commented that it had been a positive initiative by the Department of Home Affairs to take the Civil Unions Bill to the communities and to allow people to participate. The Committee, in considering the Bill, should take note of the vast array of input.

Mr S Swart (ACDP) firstly thanked the chairperson and the organizers for their excellent job. He emphasised that during the public hearings there was much opposition to the Bill, which should be taken into consideration.

Mr I Mufundisi (UCDP) agreed that this had been a good way of interacting with the public and was more effective than parliament meeting once "with the people".

Ms I Mars (IFP) believed parliament needed to interact with the people. It would now be faced with the difficult task of trying to solve the objections.

Ms M Maunye (ANC) thanked the committee members for being a great team, even when they encountered problems. She expressed appreciation to the organizers.

Mr M Sibande (ANC) also expressed his thanks to all concerned in the exercise.

The Chairperson said that the initiative was not easy but was very important in this democratic society. He highlighted that every radio station in the country had been involved. The invitation had even extended to all stakeholders, including those who did not attend. He thanked the members for putting party loyalties aside for the sake of the exercise, and he emphasised that the Constitutional Court decision should not be taken lightly.

Mkoshi KW Morwamoche (ANC) said that he did not agree with the classification of the bill as a section 75 Bill, because he was of the opinion that it affected everyone.

It was agreed that the Committee would meet again after the presentation of the reports on the Civil Union Bill.

In regard to the Film and Publications Amendment Bill, the Chairperson stated that all stakeholders in the public sector should avail themselves of the opportunity to come through on 16 October and liaise with parliament in a proper fashion.

Ms Mars excused herself from the upcoming meetings as she would be away.

The meeting was adjourned.

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