Parliamentary Budget Vote

SPEECH

Cheryllyn Dudley MP ACDP 

11 June 2013

Being ‘listened to’ is important in a democracy - reports indicate however, that most voters feel MPs do not listen to them. Parliament’s role in discussing issues that affect South Africans, passing legislation that improves their lives and overseeing the actions of the executive must, better convey that we are listening and hearing.

Hon Speaker, as we near the end of budget debates for 2013, the ACDP would like to suggest that those placed in the ‘Chair’ during EPC’s receive better training – some of you are ‘naturals’ ...others...not so much!  It would also be helpful during EPC’s if Ministers could sit where those speaking from the podium can actually see them without having to turn away from the microphone.  And the three minutes for smaller parties – a big difference – thank you! 

A big thank you must also go to the Parliamentary Research Unit - for the work they did in producing Budget reports - this year there was a definite improvement in that my colleagues and I were able to access them before preparing for debates.  There must be tremendous pressure on the unit at budget time and we would like to see more researchers assigned to this task - these reports are a waste of time, effort and finance when they are too late for MP’s to make use of them.

Hon Speaker, the ACDP would like to see greater flexibility within the Questions Office - our experience being that Members of Parliament are over-ruled by officials in terms of ‘what they want to ask’, ‘how they want to ask it’ and ‘who they want to ask’.  While we acknowledge the expertise in that office - there is a line that needs to be drawn between receiving expert advice and officials taking decisions which should be left to Members.

Civil society organizations are complaining that it is difficult to get MPs to listen to the issues that affect communities and a recent roundtable discussion on human dignity and violence was apparently not attended by any Members.  Speaking for myself, I have always made a concerted effort to be at as many of these roundtable discussions as I can but I am very aware that many are held at times when I have other commitments at Parliament - prioritising the work of parliament should not send the message that interaction with civil society is not valued. 

Hon Speaker, perhaps this can be considered – and a solution found - as you can see it is reflecting badly on us!

Another ‘voter complaint’ I read was that so much of Parliaments business is done in English but when we see complaints from MP’s regarding the standard of interpretation from other languages into English it is perhaps no wonder.  We are told interpretation is a very complex and involved process and that a training budget will be required in 2013 for interventions to improve the service – is this adequately covered?

A common complaint is that public representatives are highly visible in constituencies in the run-up to elections, but are a relatively rare sight afterwards.  I know for me, people are not as receptive to MP’s when it is not election time – trying to be available to people is not as easy as one would imagine!  Very often when attending disasters, funerals, celebrations and gatherings in general– most are unaware of my MP status - because those who do know I am there, are determined not to acknowledge a politician in their midst – at least not an MP – you would have to be a Premier or President it seems!

Two thoughts on this – but only time for one - how amazing would it be if the same media that publishes the complaints, would give MP’s coverage when they are in their constituencies – either advertising we are going to be there or covering aspects of the visits!

Even if people’s perceptions do not always reflect the reality, we MPs have a lot do to convince South Africans that we are listening and we do want to hear. I hope this budget that the ACDP will support will help us do a better job.

“It does not take a majority to prevail…but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting bushfires of freedom in the minds of men”  – Samuel Adams