The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg visited the Parliament of New South Wales from 2 to 6 August 2024 to discuss preparations for the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), set to be held in Sydney, Australia, from 3 to 8 November 2024.

During the visit, the CPA Secretary-General met with the CPA President and President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Hon. Ben Franklin, MLC and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, Hon. Greg Piper, MP. The President and the Speaker are also Joint Presidents of the CPA New South Wales Branch.

Above (left to right): The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, Hon. Greg Piper, MP; the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg; and the CPA President and President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Hon. Ben Franklin, MLC. Image credit: Parliament of New South Wales.

The CPA Secretary-General met with Ms Lynda Voltz, MP, President of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (2023-24) to discuss the 8th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference which will be held in Sydney at the same time as the 67th CPC.

In addition, the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network will be meeting in Sydney along with an outreach event during the Conference. The CPA Secretary-General met with the CPwD Regional Champion for the Australia Region, Ms Liesl Tesch, MP to discuss these plans.

Meetings were also held with Mr David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments; Ms Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly; and Ms Vanessa O’Loan, Director for the 67th CPC as well as viewings of the venues for the forthcoming Conference. The CPA Secretary-General was accompanied by Tom Marino, CPA Governance Officer.

One of the largest gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will bring together over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.

During the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 40th CPA Small Branches Conference; 8th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference; meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network; the CPA General Assembly and meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the 58th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.