Parliamentary Update
The Protection of Information Bill (POIB) and the 18th Constitutional Amendment were scheduled for approval on the order paper in the last sitting of the third term.
My colleague, Debbie Shafer MP comments: “The Constitutional Amendment Bill seeks to remove the concurrent competence of provinces to manage Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and Adult Basic Education (ABET) institutions, and place it in the hands of national government.
The DA is opposed to this amendment, and will be voting against it when it comes before the House in the next quarter. The Constitution should be amended only if there is a compelling reason to do so. In this case, we do not believe a compelling reason has been put forward.”
Interestingly both the POIB and the 18thConstituional amendment were suddenly removed from the order paper at the last minute. Presumably the protest action and unhappiness in the ANC caucus led to these votes being cancelled. However the ANC had a poor turnout on the day and COPE decided to vote with the rest of the opposition, preventing the ANC having a 2/3 majority required to amend the constitution. If the opposition continues to stick together, this amendment will fail. It is frequent that the ANC has many of their members unavailable to vote in the house.
Meet your councillor
DA councilors are frequently available at information tables, in shopping centres and township areas to meet the public. Councillors David Potter and Michael Wood (of wards 102 and 104 respectively) came to meet their constituents on Saturday 1 October at the Brightwater Commons in Randburg. The purpose of the event was to give residents the opportunity to meet and interact with their newly elected councilors. “Prior to the election, we both pledged to make ourselves visible to our communities and we are fulfilling that pledge by being here today”, explained Michael Wood.
8% Growth Project
The DA has completed the first series of workshops on the 8% growth policy review project in September. Our first document, outlining the causes of slow economic growth in SA will be tabled in the next few days. This will be followed by a second rigorous project to lay out the DA’s strategy to solve each problem in turn and turn the SA economy around. A final workshop will be held in December, followed by a full policy release outlining the DA’s solutions for SA. These documents will then be discussed at all structures of the party next year.The DA is Visible
The DA regularly organizes information tables and public events to promote membership of the DA and sign petitions, such as the current one on the prevention of corrective rape. Cllrs Tim Truluckand Gordon Mackay together with DA members from Wards 117 and 90 of the DA Sandton Constituency and Midrandheld a successful super-table at Joburg Pride on Saturday 1 October. We signed up 63 new members from all over Gauteng and attracted almost 900 petitioners against corrective rape. Our thanks to the stalwarts and DA members, Coucillors and politicians who supported us. Other events were organized in the Alexandra township wards also.
Service Delivery: Remember to report grass that needs cutting, water leaks and pavements that need re-instating to the city call centre(011) 375 5555 or the numbers given in the last edition of 5000 club.
Regards
Your MP
Ian M. Ollis
