The CPA supports Parliaments to fulfil the outcomes of the self-assessments through CPA Technical Assistance Programmes, which could involve updating the rules of procedures, training for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, or developing corporate policies. These project outputs will strengthen parliamentary institutions for improved good governance.
During the CPA Benchmarks assessment, CPA officials hold a series of meetings with the Speaker, Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, as well as a wide range of other stakeholders including Government officials, the Attorney General, Auditor-General and Electoral officials, trade unions, local media and civil society groups.
Following the assessment visit, a report will be formulated by the CPA Headquarters with recommendations for reform to strengthen parliamentary institutions. The outcomes report plays an important role in developing the effectiveness of the Parliament and will contribute to its implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, said: “Effective Parliaments are the cornerstone of good governance and the CPA works to ensure that Legislatures can function to their maximum potential. Self-assessment against to the CPA Benchmarks ensures that Parliaments can vigorously scrutinise their practices and procedures to become better performing Legislatures. In addition, the CPA Benchmarks assessments have strengthened public outreach, engagement and confidence.”
CPA Namibia Branch
Image credits: Parliament of Namibia.
In Namibia, the CPA delegation met with the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Loise Kasingo, and the Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, as well as Members of Parliament and senior parliamentary staff from both Houses as part of the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment from 27 November to 1 December 2023. Speaking about the self assessment, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Hon. Loide Kasingo, said: “Namibia is Constitutional Democracy firmly entrenched in the values and principles of human rights, rule of law and good governance. As such, we welcome the CPA team to assist us self-assess on the CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures. This will allow us to improve in areas where we are lacking.”
Furthermore, the Chairperson of the National Council of Namibia, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, said: “The Parliament of Namibia welcomes the Benchmarks Self-Assessment as a tool for us to compare our practices to standards developed by the CPA and adopted by fellow member Parliaments. This important exercise will help the Parliament of Namibia reflect on its strengths and create objectives and strategies to improve on its weaknesses. I am sure the outcomes of this CPA visit will motivate both Members and staff to redouble their efforts to make the Parliament of Namibia more effective.”
The CPA Benchmarks assessment in Namibia was supported by Josephine Watera, Assistant Director (Department of Research Services), Parliament of Uganda, and Fraser McIntosh, Good Governance Project Manager from CPA Headquarters.
CPA Tonga Branch
In Tonga, a CPA delegation visited Nukuʻalofa from 13 to 17 November 2023 as part of a CPA Benchmarks self-assessment during which they met with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Clerk of the House, and Members of Parliament.
Image credit: Tonga Parliament.
Speaking about the self-assessment, the Lord Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Lord Fakafanua, said: “The Legislative Assembly of Tonga is delighted to undertake the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment exercise and feels that doing so now is the right time for our Parliament, its Members and staff. Completing this important piece of work will enable us to celebrate the considerable progress that has been made since our 2010 constitutional reforms, while also identifying and addressing key areas for democratic improvement. As Lord Speaker, I look forward to working further alongside the CPA with a shared ambition of building a Parliament here in Tonga that is fit for purpose, resilient and inclusive for all.” The CPA Benchmarks self-assessment was supported by Tom Duncan, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Australian Capital Territory, and Fraser McIntosh, Good Governance Project Manager from CPA Headquarters.
CPA Botswana Branch
The Parliament of Botswana held the first ever joint CPA Benchmarks and Gender Sensitive Parliament (GSP) self-assessment undertaken by a Parliament from 20 to 24 November 2023.
Image credit: Parliament of Botswana.
Speaking about the self-assessment, the Clerk of the National Assembly of Botswana, Ms. Barbara Dithapo said: “Engaging with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat on the CPA Benchmarks and Gender Sensitive Parliament self-assessments has provided a multifaceted view of our institution’s operations. This approach has not only allowed us to thoroughly evaluate our parliamentary procedures and practices but has also shone a light on the importance of gender mainstreaming within our structures. The outcomes of these assessments offer us clear indicators of our successes and areas for reform, ensuring that we forge a path towards enhanced parliamentary governance, inclusivene
ss and development.” As part of their visit, the CPA delegation met with the Vice-President, the Deputy Speaker, the Clerk and Members of Parliament as well as parliamentary staff. The assessments were supported by Nerusha Naidoo, the Secretary of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature in South Africa, and James Pinnell and Jack Hardcastle from the CPA Headquarters.
CPA Maldives Branch
A CPA delegation visited the People’s Majlis (Parliament) of The Maldives from 12 to 16 February 2024 to support the Legislature’s self-assessment against the CPA Benchmarks. As part of their visit, they met with the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, the Secretary-General of Parliament, MPs and parliamentary staff.
Image credits: Parliament of Maldives.
The Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Hon. Mohamed Aslam, said: “My aspiration for The Maldives Parliament is to facilitate the alignment of its powers and practices in a manner that effectively serves the nation’s needs, while upholding the Constitution without external interference. This ensures that it delivers for the people in accordance with international rules and standards. Furthermore, I endeavour to foster an environment where Members of Parliament actively contribute to the ongoing development and evolution of the parliamentary system. Assessing ourselves against the CPA Benchmarks will provide a valuable opportunity for us to evaluate our progress and to identify areas for improvement. As the CPA has been a longstanding source of support to the People’s Majlis, we are eager to renew our engagement, especially since recently rejoining the organisation. Attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and other CPA workshops has been instrumental in our capacity building efforts for MPs. With elections on the horizon, the timing of the self-assessment is ideal for us to reflect on our performance and to strategise for the future.”
The Clerk of the Seychelles National Assembly, Tania Isaac and Fraser McIntosh from CPA Headquarters travelled to Malé to provide technical assistance to the Parliament.
CPA Fiji Branch
Image credits: Parliament of Fiji/CPA Headquarters.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, Hon. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu welcomed a CPA delegation to Suva from 6 to 10 November 2023 as part of a CPA Benchmarks self-assessment. The Speaker said: “The Fijian Parliament is committed to the benchmarks assessment excercise as the outcome will enable us to embrace and build upon the good practices currently being executed but more importantly to address and improve on the gaps that will be identified as this is critically essential. As the Speaker and in cognisant of the underlying principles under SDG 16, my aim is to strengthen this august institution to ensure that it is accountable, transparent and effective.” The CPA Benchmarks assessment was supported by Anne Sargent, Deputy Clerk, Legislative Council of the Parliament of Victoria and Matthew Salik, Head of Programmes from the CPA Headquarters.
CPA Kiribati Branch
Image credit: Carly Maxwell/NSW Parliament.
The Parliament of Kiribati (Maneaba ni Maungatabu) welcomed a CPA delegation for a CPA Benchmarks assessment from 19 to 23 February 2024. The CPA delegation are Tom Duncan, Clerk of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly and Carly Maxwell, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales. There is also a CPA twinning partnership between the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly and the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (National Parliament) of Kiribati. The Speaker of the Kiribati Parliament, Hon. Tangariki Reete said: “The Parliament of Kiribati welcomes the CPA Democratic Benchmarks self-assessment as a tool for us to compare our practices to standards developed by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and adopted by member Parliaments. This important exercise will help us to reflect on the Parliament’s strengths and create objectives and strategies to improve on its weaknesses. I am sure the outcomes of this CPA visit will motivate both Members and parliamentary staff to redouble their efforts to make the Parliament of Kiribati more effective for our citizens.”
CPA Lesotho Branch
Image credits: Lesotho Parliament.
A delegation organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association met with the Parliament of Lesotho as part of a CPA Benchmarks assessment from 26 February to 1 March 2024. As part of their visit, the CPA delegation met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon. Tlohang Sekhamane, MP and the President of the Senate, Senator Hon. Mamonaheng Mokitimi; the Clerks of both Houses, Adv. Lebohang Fine Maema, KC, the Clerk of the National Assembly and Advocate Tšeliso Molise, the Clerk of the Senate; as well as other Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, the judiciary, the media and civil society groups.
The CPA team also met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, Hon. Nthomeng Majara and three Cabinet Members – Hon. Richard Ramoeletsi, Minister of Law and Justice, Hon. Dr. Ntoi Rapapa, Minister of Education and Training and Hon. Limpho Tau, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. The CPA delegation were Natascha Visser, Research Manager at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament in South Africa and Clive Barker, Programmes Manager from the CPA Headquarters.
CPA Samoa Branch
Image credit: Parliament of Samoa/CPA Secretariat.
The Parliament of Samoa met with a CPA delegation as part of a CPA Benchmarks assessment. As part of their visit, they met with Hon. Papalii Lio Oloipola Taeu Masipau, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Prime Minister of Samoa; Mr Satama Leatisa Uitime Tala, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and CPA Samoa Branch Secretary; as well as other Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, the judiciary, the media and civil society groups. The CPA Benchmarks self-assessment was undertaken by Catherine Vickers, Clerk of the Tasmanian Legislative Council and Fraser McIntosh, Good Governance Project Manager from CPA Headquarters. There is a CPA twinning partnership between the Parliament of Tasmania and the Parliament of Samoa. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa said: “The CPA Benchmark’s assessment is an important exercise undertaking a review of our Parliament’s current practices and procedures. I anticipate that the CPA assessment will shed light on long-held Parliamentary practices and procedures that need to be abolished, reviewed or strengthened so as to reinforce the independence of Parliament.”