The refusal of the African National Congress (ANC) to reduce the “lengthy lead time” given to the president and his deputy was the part of the “final straw” for the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The opposition — tired of the ruling party’s “proposal after proposal to diminish Parliament’s executive oversight capacity‚ and oppress the opposition” – said it “walked out of the National Assembly Rule Committee’s Rules Review process” on Tuesday.
One issue was the snub of the DA’s “proposed…reintroduction of Oral Questions Without Notice in an attempt to revitalise the current Oral Questions format which has become rather stale”.
“Currently‚ MPs are required to submit their Oral Questions to the president at least 16 days before they are asked in the House‚ and questions to the deputy president nine days‚” the DA said.
“This lengthy lead time usually ensures that the issues discussed are no longer relevant or have been addressed via other channels.
“Oral Questions Without Notice would mean that ministers could be questioned about recent and salient issues on the spot‚ and would require them to be in the house more often and actually aware of the issues within their portfolios.”
The DA also took issue with the ANC’s insistence at moving Members Statements and Motions “to the end of the day’s business”‚ which “diminishes their importance‚ and would ensure that ministers and MPs only attend sittings long enough for debates and oral questions before leaving”.
“Today was the final straw and we will challenge these new rules and the committee’s report when they reach the National Assembly.” – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
DA walks out because ANC won’t let it put executive ‘on the spot’
The opposition — tired of the ruling party’s “proposal after proposal to diminish Parliament’s executive oversight capacity‚ and oppress the opposition” – said it “walked out of the National Assembly Rule Committee’s Rules Review process” on Tuesday.
One issue was the snub of the DA’s “proposed…reintroduction of Oral Questions Without Notice in an attempt to revitalise the current Oral Questions format which has become rather stale”.
“Currently‚ MPs are required to submit their Oral Questions to the president at least 16 days before they are asked in the House‚ and questions to the deputy president nine days‚” the DA said.
“This lengthy lead time usually ensures that the issues discussed are no longer relevant or have been addressed via other channels.
“Oral Questions Without Notice would mean that ministers could be questioned about recent and salient issues on the spot‚ and would require them to be in the house more often and actually aware of the issues within their portfolios.”
The DA also took issue with the ANC’s insistence at moving Members Statements and Motions “to the end of the day’s business”‚ which “diminishes their importance‚ and would ensure that ministers and MPs only attend sittings long enough for debates and oral questions before leaving”.
“Today was the final straw and we will challenge these new rules and the committee’s report when they reach the National Assembly.” – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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