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Parliament (Administration) (Amendment) Act 2021

REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

PARLIAMENT (ADMINISTRATION)
(AMENDMENT)
ACT NO. 21 OF 2021

Arrangement of Sections

1 Amendment
2 Commencement

REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

Assent: 29/07/2021
Commencement: 10/09/2021

PARLIAMENT (ADMINISTRATION)
(AMENDMENT)
ACT NO. 21 OF 2021

An Act to amend the Parliament (Administration) Act [CAP 306].

Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows-

1. Amendment

The Parliament (Administration) Act [CAP 306] is amended as set out in the Schedule.

2. Commencement

(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act commences on the date on which it is published in the Gazette.

(2) Parts 2A and 2B in item 2 are taken to have commenced on 30 September 1991.

SCHEDULE

AMENDMENTS OF PARLIAMENT (ADMINISTRATION) ACT [CAP 306]

1. Title of the Act

Delete “Parliament (Administration)” substitute “Parliamentary Services”

2. Part 2

Repeal the Part, substitute

“PART 2 OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER

3. Staff of the Office of the Speaker

(1) The staff of the Office of the Speaker are to be appointed by the Speaker under a contract of employment.

(2) The terms and conditions of employment of the staff of the Office of the Speaker are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

(3) To avoid doubt, the Board does not deal with employment matters relating to the staff of the Office of the Speaker.

PART 2A OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF OPPOSITION

4. Leader of Opposition

(1) The Leader of Opposition is to be nominated by members of Parliament forming the Opposition group in Parliament.

(2) The terms and conditions of employment of the Leader of Opposition are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

5. Functions of the Leader of Opposition

The Leader of Opposition has the following functions:

(a) to be the spokesperson for the Opposition group; and

(b) to lead the Opposition in parliamentary and policy debate; and

(c) to hold the Government accountable on matters perceived to not be of national interest; and

(d) to chair meetings of the Opposition group; and

(e) such other functions as may conferred on him or her by this Act or any other Act.

6. Deputy Leader of Opposition

(1) The Deputy Leader of Opposition is to be nominated by members of Parliament forming the Opposition group in Parliament.

(2) The terms and conditions of employment of the Deputy Leader of Opposition are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

7. Functions of the Deputy Leader of Opposition

The Deputy Leader of Opposition has the following functions:

(a) to assist the Leader of Opposition to develop and present policies for the Opposition group; and

(b) to assist the Leader of Opposition to manage the Opposition group; and

(c) to act as the Leader of Opposition when the Leader of Opposition is absent from Vanuatu or is for any reason unable to perform his or her functions.

8. Staff of the Office of the Leader of Opposition

(1) The staff of the Office of the Leader of Opposition are to be appointed by the Leader of Opposition under a contract of employment.

(2) The terms and conditions of employment of the staff of the Office of the Leader of Opposition are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

(3) To avoid doubt, the Board does not deal with employment matters relating to the staff of the Office of the Leader of Opposition.

PART 2B OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ROLES

8A. Leader of Government Business

(1) The Speaker is to appoint the Leader of Government Business on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

(2) The Leader of Government Business is responsible for managing and leading the Government’s affairs in Parliament.

(3) The terms and conditions of employment of the Leader of Government Business are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

8B. Government Whip

(1) The Speaker is to appoint the Government Whip on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

(2) The Government Whip is responsible for ensuring that the members of Parliament on the Government side are present at Parliament sittings.

(3) The terms and conditions of employment of the Government Whip are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

8C. Opposition Whip

(1) The Speaker is to appoint the Opposition Whip on the recommendation of the Leader of Opposition.

(2) The Opposition Whip is responsible for ensuring that the members of Parliament on the Opposition side are present at Parliament sittings.

(3) The terms and conditions of employment of the Opposition Whip are to be determined under the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168].

8D. Representation of Parliament at national, regional and international organisations

The Speaker is to appoint a member of Parliament to represent Parliament at a national, regional or international organisation.”

3. Section 20

Repeal the section.