28/10/2023

Commonwealth Parliamentarians highlight strong parliamentary institutions for peace and stability at 147th IPU Assembly in Angola

The IPU Assembly focused on the theme of ‘Parliamentary action for peace, justice and strong institutions’ (SDG 16) with Speakers and Members of Parliaments discussing the role of Legislatures in promoting a resilient and peaceful world. The President of the National Assembly of Angola, Hon. Carolina Cerqueira welcomed delegates to Luanda.
24/10/2023

Levelling the Playing Field for the Territories in Australia

A rarely passed Private Member’s Bill - The Restoring Territory Rights Bill – was introduced in the Australian Federal Parliament in 2022 which aims to restore the rights of self-determination to the people and Parliaments of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory (NT). The two Federal Members of Parliament who co-sponsored the Bill explain its impact.
20/10/2023

When Disasters Strikes it is Essential for Commonwealth Parliaments to be Prepared

Lessons from the CPA Small Branches Workshop on Disaster Risk Management
05/10/2023

CPC Workshop F: 20 Years of the Latimer House Principles on the Separation of Powers: Is it Working?

This workshop session focused on the significance of the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles and examined strategies to strengthen the relationship among the three branches of government. It also highlighted best practices for embedding these Principles in Commonwealth Parliaments. For democracy to thrive, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary must operate within their constitutional mandates. The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements and the Judiciary, which is the final arbiter of a state, exercises the powers of adjudication and interpretation.
05/10/2023

CPC Workshop D: Role of The Commonwealth in International Security and Peacebuilding

The Youth Roundtable Session explored the opportunities and challenges that the Commonwealth faces in respect to international security and peacebuilding. It featured delegates from CPA Branches and representatives from a cross-section of Ghanaian youth, including Youth Parliaments, students and student leaders.
05/10/2023

66th CPA General Assembly: Key Decisions Taken in Ghana

During the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Ghana, Commonwealth Parliamentarians attended the 66th CPA General Assembly on 5 October 2023. The CPA General Assembly was presided over by the CPA President (2022-2023), Rt Hon. Alban Bagbin, MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana and was attended by Members from 102 CPA Branches. The CPA General Assembly, the Association’s supreme authority, is constituted by delegates to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
05/10/2023

CPA Vice-Patron and President of Ghana urges Commonwealth Parliamentarians to re-commit to the values and principles of the Commonwealth Charter at 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

The Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, has urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians to work together to uphold democratic principles and the values of the Commonwealth as he opened the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (66th CPC) for over 500 delegates in Accra, Ghana.
04/10/2023

History is Calling: Is Australia Prepared to Answer

As Australia prepares to hold a referendum on establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, the President of the Australian Senate examines how the 10th anniversary the Commonwealth Charter provides an opportunity to reflect on its progress and to ask if it meets the diverse needs of the Commonwealth’s citizens
24/09/2023

Building Strong and resilient Parliaments is the focus at 52nd Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference for Pacific and Australia Regions in Solomon Islands

Parliamentarians from the Pacific and Australia Regions have focused on building strong and resilient Parliaments at the 52nd Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference (POCC), hosted by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands in Honiara from 2 to 6 July 2023. More than 50 Presiding Officers, Speakers and Clerks from 18 Parliaments in the Pacific and Australia Regions attended the conference including Australia Federal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Vanuatu, Bougainville, Tuvalu, Tonga, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and the Australian State Parliaments.
16/09/2023

Commonwealth Heads of Government to meet in Samoa in 2024

The Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, have announced that the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Apia, Samoa, beginning on 21 October 2024. CHOGM – customarily held every two years – is the Commonwealth’s primary political meeting.
01/09/2023

Vanuatu MPs visit Queensland Parliament as part of parliamentary twinning

The Acting Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, Mr Joe Kelly, MP, welcomed a delegation of Parliamentarians from Vanuatu led by the 2nd Deputy Speaker,  Jack Kalmet, MP on 8 June 2023.
26/08/2023

Commonwealth Legislative News: Australia

New Members, Budget Debate and Dictionary Launch at Parliament of Australia, as well as Parliamentary Reports from the CPA Australia Region and the Third Reading Report.