travel report - Parliament of South Australia

TRAVEL REPORT
Hon Jack Snelling MP
Speaker of the House of Assembly
Member for Playford
United Kingdom, Scotland, France and
Czech Republic
18 May — 2 June 2009
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This visit incorporated my role as Speaker of the House of Assembly, South Australian
Parliament with areas of interest in renewable energy, global warming, bioethics and
education.
I was accompanied by my Personal Assistant Mr Corey Harriss.
The objectives of the visit were to:-
1. Meet with the Presiding Officers of the Parliaments of United Kingdom, Scotland and the
President of the Czech Republic to examine their parliamentary system and discuss issues
of governance.
2. Meet with various Members of the House of Lords and House of Commons to discuss
accountability of Governments, procedures, govemance and human rights and bioethics
issues.
3. Liaise with Parliamentary Departmental Heads to discuss the functions and structures of
their Committees, Standing Orders, Hansard and security.
4. To meet with the Agent General for South Australia to discuss the role of the Office in
promoting South Australia to the United Kingdom and Europe and also trade and
investment opportunities.
5. To meet with representatives from AREVA to discuss and better understand the use of
nuclear energy and its effect on the environment.
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Tuesday, 19 May 2009
The Palace of Westminster, London
A number of meetings were arranged in the Palace of Westminster.
One of the first things noticed when visiting the Houses of Parliament at Westminster is the
level of security and the checkpoints to all public entrances. Police wearing bullet proof vests
with submachine guns, further police with handguns, metal detectors, x-ray machines for
items brought into Westminster and photos taken of visitors with copies of such worn via
lanyard identifying the date and time of entry. Ironically, it is reported that most security
breaches are from visitors invited by Members.
We are fortunate in South Australia not to require these security measures employed in
Westminster.
Lord David Alton of Liverpool, House of Lords
A meeting was arranged with Lord David Alton of Liverpool who provided insight into the
workings of the House of Lords as a "House of Review" keeping the government of the day
accountable.
Lord Alton spoke of the willingness of Members of the House of Lords to work co-operatively
with Lords from other political parties to ensure this body remains accountable, active and
valuable to the political process. This approach to the political processes of the United
Kingdom was certainly refreshing.
Lord Alton explained that a range of activities are conducted by Members of the House of
Lords in investigating and promoting particular issues that the Government and their Ministers
appear unable or unwilling to address. The House of Lords can review Government
legislation and can also vote against Government legislation although this does not extinguish
such legislation but places a twelve month hold on its implementation.
Lord Alton spoke of his extensive activities in the House of Lords concerning human rights
and bioethics issues. Lord Alton spoke of his particular interest in the promotion of debate
concerning the ethics of embryonic, cord blood and adult stem cells.
Lord Alton also spoke of study tours undertaken to investigate human rights across the globe.
In particular, Lord Alton spoke of his experiences as one of few western politicians/legislators
to visit North Korea.
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Lord Alton's political career is an interesting one. In 1972, Lord Alton was elected as the
country's youngest City Councillor to Liverpool City Council, at the age of 21. In 1973, he
was elected to Merseyside County Council.
In 1979, Lord Alton successfully ran as a Liberal candidate for the seat of Liverpool Edge Hill
in a by-election and became the youngest Member for the House of Commons. In 1983 Lord
Alton was elected to the seat of Liverpool, Mossley Hill and held the seat until 1997.
While a Member of the House of Commons, Lord Alton was spokesperson for the Liberal
Party in a variety of portfolios and positions including Environment and Race Relations,
Home Affairs, Overseas Aid, Local Government, Liberal Party Chief Whip and later LiberalSDP Alliance Spokesman on Northern Ireland.
During this time, Lord Alton was a member of the Environment Select Committee from 1981
to 1985 and the House of Commons Privileges Committee from 1994 to 1997. Lord Alton
was also a member of various All Party Select Groups including Vice Chairman of Drugs
Misuse from 1993 to 1997; Treasurer of Pro-Life in 1993; Landmines in 1996; Chairman of
Street Children from 1992 to 1997; and Secretary of the All-Party Ukraine Group in 1990.
In 1997, Lord Alton was made the youngest life peer and opted to sit as an Independent Crossbencher, having left the Liberal Democrats over the issue of abortion. Since joining the House
of Lords, Lord Alton has continued to bring attention to the Lords a range of bioethics issues
and has also written several books on bioethics matters.
Lord Alton has travelled extensively investigating a range of human rights issues around the
globe and written on human rights in Azerbaijan and Georgia, Sudan, Burma, Laos, North
Korea, the killing of street children in Brazil, Congo, Rwanda, and Darfur and also reported on
the trafficking of children.
Bill Muirhead, Agent General for South Australia
A meeting was arranged with Mr Bill Muirhead, Agent General for South Australia. Mr
Muirhead provided an extensive overview on the role of the Agent General in promoting
South Australia to the United Kingdom and Europe along with key objectives of South
Australia's Strategic Plan.
The official role of the Office of the Agent General supports South Australia's Strategic Plan
by:
• Facilitating UK and European investment in South Australia;
• Assisting South Australian organisations to establish positive relationships in the UK
and Europe;
• Facilitating opportunities for UK and European export of South Australian goods and
services;
• Encouraging UK and European migration to South Australia under skilled, business,
tourist and student migration programs; and
• Supporting the expatriate South Australian community in the UK and Europe.
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Mr Muirhead also explained that his extensive contacts within government, business and
media in the United Kingdom have greatly assisted in his role as Agent General.
Mr Muirhead spoke of trade and investment programs initiated or assisted by the Agent
General to promote various South Australian industries and businesses entering or maintaining
their position in the United Kingdom and European markets. In particular, Mr Muirhead
spoke on programs undertaken to promote the wine industry and the minerals industry.
Mr Muirhead also spoke on a range of activities promoting skilled migration to South
Australia including the migration of police officers which has proven, so far, to be most
successful in assisting South Australia Police to reach a target of 4,400 police officers.
Adelaide also receives an above average proportion of migrants from the United Kingdom
based upon current population. In 2007/08, 2,451 Britons migrated to Adelaide out of a total
of 23,236 moving to Australia.
Mr Muirhead's enthusiasm for promoting South Australia for trade and investment, education
and migration was ever present. It appeared that Mr Muirhead's extensive experience in
advertising has been highly advantageous in his role as Agent General on behalf of South
Australia. As a founding Director of M&C Saatchi, Mr Muirhead understands the role and
influence of advertising in shaping and directing the views of its intended audience. These
skills are undoubtedly required to ensure the Office of the Agent General remains worthy of
its investment by the South Australian Government.
Regular media reports in the United Kingdom on South Australia's campaign to lure skilled
migration would suggest this campaign has great promise. The challenge appears to be one
where initial advertising can generate further discussion in the media. South Australia
campaigns that are slightly cheeky in nature appear to have received further media exposure.
Staties.
Hell.
Aielaidee
]inn..
rine wenhee fine wine_ fine joie, One heath s, fine wine,
fine universitic,, fine weather, line food fine houses, oh.
NW did 1 11K01431 n/ft %%milk, and fine wine.
.ether. fine wine fine hon,e. !hit W.. fine Bracher,
fine fine onkel-Ado% fox ',scalier:fine food, oh, at id
did I mention fine weather and line wine.
Adelaide. South Ausaralia. The world's finest Menet
Adelakle,
South Australia_ The la orid's finebt Went
Advertisements used in a recent South Australia campaign.
Media reports in response to these campaigns mention Adelaide's world-class education,
affordable housing, rich natural commodities and that it is one of the best cities in the world
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for business. Adelaide's inclusion in the top ten of The Economist's "World's Most Livable
Cities Index" is also prominent.
Due to the costs associated with retaining an Agent General in London, the role, activities,
performance and outcomes of this Office require continued assessment to ensure a targeted
focus for current and future activities.
Ongoing review of the Office of the Agent General will ensure that benefits and outcomes
provided outweigh the financial costs of maintaining the Office. The activities undertaken by
the Agent General are focused on those that compliment the State Strategic Plan. However,
the future role of the Office will need a continued emphasis on outcomes and benefits to South
Australia.
Although a successful Agent General will work towards a range of outcomes identified by the
South Australian Government, the office holder obviously requires a high level of initiative
and result driven. Mr Muirhead appears to have the level of initiative and contacts required
for a successful Agent General.
Mr Muirhead is thanked for the assistance that he and his office provided to help make the
study tour a success.
The Rt Hon Frank Field MP, House of Commons, Birkenhead
A meeting was arranged with veteran Member of the House of Commons The Rt Hon Frank
Field MP, the Member for Birkenhead.
Mr Field's commendable record on the issues of poverty, wages and welfare are long standing.
From 1969 to 1979, Mr Field was Director of the Child Poverty Action Group. From 1974 to
1980 he was the Director of the Low Pay Unit established to make sure wages councils
properly protected the rights of workers in certain industries. During this time, Mr Field
campaigned for a national minimum wage, a goal that was eventually achieved in 1998.
In 1979, Mr Field was elected as the Member for Birkenhead. In various roles undertaken in
Parliament and Government, Mr Field has been instrumental in raising debate on welfare
reform. Between 1980 and 1981, Mr Field was Shadow Education and Social Security
spokesperson. From 1990 until 1997, Mr Field was Chairman of the Social Security Select
Committee. From 1997 to 1998 Mr Field was Minister for Welfare Reform in Tony Blair's
first Cabinet. Since then, he has served as a member of the Public Accounts Committee
between 2002 and 2005.
Although Mr Field is a somewhat controversial figure for his outspoken policies on a range of
issues, notably welfare reform, he is highly regarded in the House of Commons by Members
from all sides of politics. Mr Field has written extensively on welfare and pensions reform,
employment and poverty issues.
Mr Field spoke about his career in politics, activities undertaken in Westminster and current
issues concerning the House of Commons.
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Mr Field provided an interesting overview about the expenses scandal that enveloped the
House of Commons and the need for significant reform to the process Members are
remunerated. Mr Field advised the expenses scandal is a result of refusal by successive
governments since the 1980's to address the issue of Members' remuneration.
Jack Snelling and Frank Field at Portcullis House, Westminster.
Since this time, Members have been able to claim a range of expenses via the Additional Costs
Allowance and later the Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure to assist them
retain a second home in London while attending sittings of the House of Commons for more
than thirty weeks a year.
The inherent flexibility of the rules for Members to claim from Personal Additional
Accommodation Expenditure has in effect created an additional form of income to the current
(From 1 April 2009) remuneration of £64,766. The ability of Members to make claims for
expenses without receipts has also found to be fraught with danger. Mr Field also spoke about
problems associated with the practice of Members "flipping" homes for allowances purposes
as their claimed London residence while attending sittings of the House of Commons.
Although this practice was in accordance with the Personal Additional Accommodation
Expenditure allowance, it appears a number of Members changed residences for allowances
purposes not in the spirit it was intended.
The "Members' pay, pensions and allowances, Factsheet M5, Members Series, House of
Commons Information Office Revised May 2009", outlines the Personal Additional
Accommodation Expenditure (PAAE) as follows:
"This allowance can be used to reimburse Members for any expenses necessarily
incurred by staying overnight away from their main residence while conducting
parliamentary duties. The allowance can be used to meet costs such as rent or
mortgage interest, hotel expenses, utilities and telecommunications charges,
furnishings, maintenance, service agreements, cleaning and insurance, and subsistence.
For 2009/10 Members may claim a maximum of £24,222. A flat rate sum of £25 for
subsistence may be claimed for any night spent away from the main home while on
parliamentary business."
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The refusal of the House of Commons to release certain allowance information via Freedom of
Information and their subsequent leaking to The Telegraph newspaper has created a furore
which is not likely to be remedied until a full debate occurs on Members remuneration and
claimable expenses.
As a consequence, the Government and the House of Commons will need to comprehensively
review and update the remuneration and allowances available to Members.
Since this time, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced to the House of Commons on
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 that legislation will be published in July 2009 to create an
independent regulator of Parliament and a code of conduct for Members' behaviour.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Brown revealed that receipts for all Members'
expenses will be published on the intemet and future receipts will be made public as a matter
of routine.
A separate Bill to establish the independent regulatory authority for Parliament and a code of
conduct for Members' is expected to be placed on the statute book later in 2009 and is likely
to receive cross-party support. This new regulator will take over the role of the Fees Office in
authorising expense claims and overseeing the allowance system and will maintain the register
of Members' interests.
The regulatory authority will have the power to "disallow claims, require repayment and apply
firm and appropriate sanctions in cases of financial irregularity", Mr Brown, has claimed.
Further, the proposed regulatory authority will also have responsibility for scrutinising
efficiency and value for money in the Palace of Westminster to reduce the overall cost of
running Parliament.
It is expected the proposed Members' code of conduct will clarify Members' role in relation to
constituents and Parliament, detail what voters can expect from their MP, and codify the
potential offences which must be addressed with new tougher sanctions for misbehaviour.
The expenses furore is one which should not be taken lightly by the South Australian House of
Assembly. The problems associated with Members' expenses would no doubt be replicated in
South Australia if similar circumstances were allowed to prevail. Open and accountable
remuneration of Members will reduce the likely backlash from the public that has been
associated with the almost secretive use of allowances by Members of the House of
Commons.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord Blood and Adult Stem Cells
Lord Alton invited me to a meeting of The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord
Blood and Adult Stem Cells in the Grimmond Room, Portcullis House.
The purpose of The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord Blood and Adult Stem
Cells is:
"To inform parliamentarians about the value of umbilical cord blood being donated by
women after birth, increase awareness of the value of umbilical cord blood for the
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treatment of diseases and research for new treatment methods; and to promote the
widespread collection and storage of cord blood samples in the UK."
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord Blood and Adult Stem Cells was
launched by David Burrowes, Member of the House of Commons for Enfield, Southgate and
Shadow Minister for Justice. Mr Burrowes is the current Chair of this All Party Group whose
office bearers and membership are represented by Members and Lords from across the
political spectrum.
The All Party Group was established to promote the use of umbilical cord blood and value of
adult stem cell research and the current therapeutic results in the area of umbilical cord blood
and adult stem cells.
According to a recent statement from David Burrowes MP:
"In this country umbilical cord blood is routinely thrown away after birth and its life
saving value is wasted. Only 4 hospitals collect cord blood, less than 1,000 cord blood
samples are stored at the NHS bank each year, and less than 200 cord blood transplants
have taken place in the UK. Many sufferers of leukaemia or blood related disorders
are forced to search overseas for an appropriate cord blood match. Now that the
Government has pushed through the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Act in order to
be a world leader in regenerative medicine, we are calling on the Government to
support stem cell therapy which has a proven record when it comes to treatments...
We are seeking a greater understanding of cord blood and opportunities for donation to
help parents who are waiting desperately for treatment for their children with diseases
such as leukaemia."
The attendance at The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord Blood and Adult
Stem Cells includes various Members from the House of Commons and House of Lords as
well as officers from various government and non-government agencies and also commercial
organisations.
The All Party Group is addressed by a range of key specialists in the field of stem cells from
umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells. Although the group's main purpose is to promote
the use of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells, there were attendees at
the meeting involved in the research of embryonic stem cells.
The meeting was interesting and provided information on recent developments in the therapies
and treatments from umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells.
This meeting of The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord Blood and Adult Stem
Cells was addressed by Dr Sergio Querol, Director of the Anthony Nolan Trust Cord Blood
Bank, Professor Carlos Lima MD, neurologist and neuropathologist at CHLO Egas Moniz
Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal and Professor Geoffrey Raisman MD, University College, London.
Dr Querol addressed the group on "Off the shelf stem cell therapies using cord blood" and
current treatments available using stem cells from umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells.
Dr Querol spoke of the proven therapies from these materials. In particular, Dr Querol spoke
of the advantages of using these stems cells as opposed to created stem cells including:
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•
•
•
•
•
the universality of these stem cells;
the ethical advantages of these stem cells;
the stem cells are natural and do not need to be created;
are proven at present and not promised future therapies; and
have almost unlimited potential to assist in the treatment of a myriad of medical
conditions.
Dr Querol also spoke of the need for a bank of stem cells of approximately 50,000 donations
to get approximately 20,000 usable units.
Professor Carlos Lima MD, addressed the group on "The Natural Source of Adult Autologous
Multipotent Stem Cells: not in front of your nose, but within".
Professor Lima spoke about treatments to a range of medical conditionals using adult stem
cells and showed footage of patients in the course of treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
Professor Lima also spoke of the great promise that adult stem cells have in the treatment for a
range of medical conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
and Huntington's, for spinal cord injuries, treatment for heart attacks, diabetes and muscle
degenerative diseases.
Professor Raisman spoke to the group about the use of adult stem cells in the treatment of
spinal cord injuries.
In particular, Professor Raisman spoke to the group on specialised olfactory ensheathing glial
cells that accompany the olfactory nerve fibres from the nose all the way to their entry into the
brain. Professor Raisman has been involved in the development of a tissue culture method for
obtaining olfactory ensheathing cells from adult olfactory tissue samples that has enabled
experiments in which such cultured cells could be transplanted into rat spinal cord lesions and
their structural and functional reparative effects observed.
The use of olfactory ensheathing cells are a promising form of treatment for spinal cord repair.
These cells have the advantage of being obtained from adult patients, who can build up a bank
of their own cells for autografting into areas of damage in the spinal cord, avoiding the
problems of using embryonic tissue and the dangers of crossing an immune barrier.
All Party Groups
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Umbilical Cord Blood and Adult Stem Cells is one of
many All Party Groups in current operation. Unlike Select Committees and Standing
Committees, All Party Groups are relatively informal with a wide ranging membership of
principally backbenchers and Lords according to particular subjects of interest.
All Party Groups are either subject groups concerning a particular subject matter or country
groups concerning a particular country or region. As at 28 May 2009, there were
approximately 400 subject groups and approximately 140 country groups.
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Many of the country groups are affiliated with the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association's United Kingdom Branch. Of particular interest to South Australian
Parliamentarians is the Australia and New Zealand All Party Group.
The activities of All Party Groups appear to provide cross party forums that investigate a
range of issues in a productive manner. Importantly, All Party Groups appear to act in a nonpartisan fashion allowing Members to work co-operatively to further common goals without
the adversarial combat expected within Select Committees.
The extended use of All Party Committees in the South Australian Parliament offers some
promise. An investigation of extending the use and role of these committees in the South
Australian Parliament could be investigated in the future.
Register of All Party Groups
The All Party Groups recognised by the House of Commons must adhere to various
regulations for their continuity.
All Party Groups are recognised by the House of Commons via a Register and was initiated by
a Resolution of the House of Commons in 1985. It is compulsory for any group on the All
Party Group Register to include Members of the Commons from more than one party and has
at least one officer who is from the Commons.
The Register of All Party Groups includes its title, officers, financial and material assistance
received from outside Parliament, and relevant gainful occupations of its staff. However, if a
group is on the Approved List it has to provide additional information including details of the
group's purpose; its 20 qualifying members; any affiliation it has to the Inter-Parliamentary
Union or Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; its voting rights; and the date of its last
Annual General Meeting.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Westminster
A short tour of the Palace of Westminster was arranged with Sue Pamphlett, Inwards Visits
Manager, Overseas Office, House of Commons.
This tour of the Palace of Westminster was arranged in between other scheduled
appointments. This insightful and informative tour gave a greater understanding of the
historical significance of the Palace of Westminster, the House of Commons and the House of
Lords. The historical significance of Westminster is in stark contrast to the relative youth of
South Australia's Parliament.
The tour of Westminster, although brief, provided a fascinating insight into the Government of
the United Kingdom, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Unfortunately, as both
the House of Commons and the House of Lords were sitting, a tour within the chambers was
not possible.
The Palace of Westminster houses not only the Parliament but is also a museum and art
gallery of historical artefacts about the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the role of
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Parliament and important underpinnings to the Westminster system that is replicated in
Commonwealth Parliaments around the globe.
Hon Michael Martin MP, Speaker of the House of Commons
Attendance at the Briefing Meeting of the Speaker of the House of Commons was arranged.
Although the Hon Michael Martin MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons had advised the
House the day prior of his intention to resign the Speakership on Tuesday, 19 June 2009, he
kept the appointment, which I appreciated.
Michael Martin announcing his resignation in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 19 May 2009.
The Briefing Meeting occurs every sitting day to brief the Speaker of the House of Commons
on the schedule of the particular days sitting. Attendance at the briefing includes staff from
the Speaker's Office and also the House of Commons.
Jack Snelling and Speaker Michael Martin.
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Michael Martin was elected to the position of Speaker in 2000 and became the fourth Labour
Party Speaker and only the second Scottish Speaker to the House of Commons. Mr Martin
was also the first Catholic Speaker since the Reformation. Mr Martin was re-elected to the
position of Speaker in 2001.
The level of non-partisanship for the position of Speaker of the House of Commons is one
which contrasts with the role of Speaker in many other legislatures. The Speaker of the House
of Commons on their election to this position is required to resign from his/her political party.
This removal from party affiliation is expected to continue even after a Speaker no longer
holds this position. It is also expected that after retirement, a former Speaker will take no part
in political debate. It is also general practice for the Speaker to serve in the role until
retirement from the House of Commons or death.
As a consequence, with the resignation of Mr Martin as Speaker from 21 June 2009, it is
expected he will continue as the Member for Glasgow North East and sit on the cross-benches
until he departs the House of Commons. Mr Martin announced his intention to resign as the
Member for Glasgow North East before the UK elections in 2010 and is expected enter the
House of Lords as a Peer Lord and sit on the cross-benches.
Speaker's Procession
The Speaker's procession was witnessed prior to the sitting of the House of Commons. The
Speaker's procession is more formal than that of the House of Assembly and significant
numbers of visitors in the Central Lobby witness this occurrence.
The formal procession is led by the Speaker and is followed by a Bar Doorkeeper, the Serjeant
at Arms with the Mace, the Trainbearer, Chaplain and Secretary.
The route of the Speaker's procession begins from the Speaker's Office at the Westminster
Bridge end of the Palace of Westminster and travels via the Library Corridor, the Lower
Waiting Hall, Central and Members' Lobbies to the House of Commons Chamber.
Prime Minister's Question Time
Attendance at Prime Minister's Question Time was of great interest and seating was arranged
in the Speaker's Private Gallery overlooking the House of Commons from the Government
side of the chamber.
Questions to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom takes place for thirty minutes each
Wednesday from 1200hrs to 1230hrs. Prior to this, Questions to the Prime Minister took place
in two periods of fifteen minutes each sitting week.
It was most fortunate to witness Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons on
this day due to its historical significance.
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Gordon Brown, Prime Minister's Question Time, Wednesday, 20 May 2009.
The maelstrom surrounding Her Majesty's Government concerning Members' expenses
consumed the House of Commons as elsewhere outside the Parliament. Questions were also
asked of the state of the United Kingdom's economy as a result of the Global Financial Crisis
and the Government's response to support the economy, the right of Ghurkhas to settle in the
United Kingdom and their pay and pensions as well as demands from Her Majesty's
Opposition for the Government to call an early election.
As mentioned previously, the Hon Michael Martin MP, the Speaker of the House of
Commons, had announced his impending resignation from the Speakership the previous day.
Prior to the Speaker announcing his resignation, there had been calls for the Speaker's
resignation, particularly from the Opposition and the media. It was most gracious and
possibly ironic that the Opposition would then thank the Hon Michael Martin for his loyal
service to the House of Commons and wished him well for the future.
Rt Hon Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, House of Commons Saffron Walden
A meeting was arranged to meet the veteran Conservative Member, the Right Honourable Sir
Alan Haselhurst MP, the Member for Saffron Walden in the House of Commons.
Sir Alan Haselhurst kindly hosted a lunch in the Members' Dining Room in the House of
Commons. I also met briefly with Ann Widdecombe MP, Member for Maidstone and the
Weald in the House of Commons, who was a later candidate for the position of Speaker due to
the resignation of Michael Martin MP.
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Jack Snelling with Sir Alan Haselhurst in his office at Westminster. Note the lanyard with photo as worn by
visitors to Westminster.
Sir Alan Haselhurst shared a wealth of information on the business of the House of Commons,
in particular the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Sir Alan Haselhurst also spoke
about the furore surrounding the expenses affair gripping the Parliament. Sir Alan Haselhurst
appeared keen for the House of Commons to institute genuine reform as a result of the
expenses affair.
Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member forMiddleton and Prestwich in 1970 and held the seat until 1974. In 1977, Sir Alan Haselhurst
was elected as the Member for Saffron Walden, a seat he has held since 1977. During this
time Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, has held a variety of positions in the House of Commons
including:
1973 - 1974 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Home Secretary, Robert Can
1979 - 1981 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education and
Science, Mark Carlisle
1982 - 1997 Member of the European Legislation Select Committee
1992 - 1997 Member of the Transport Select Committee
1997 -
Chairman of Ways and Means which is commonly referred to as the
Deputy Speaker of House of Commons
In 1995, Sir Alan Haselhurst was knighted and was later made a Member of the Privy Council
in 1999. Following the 1997 General Election, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty
Boothroyd appointed him as a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. Sir Alan
Haselhurst remained Deputy Speaker when Michael Martin became Speaker of the House of
Commons.
With the resignation of Michael Martin as Speaker, Sir Alan Haselhurst nominated for the
position of Speaker. The election of Speaker was held on 22 June 2009 via secret ballot. In a
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run-off style election, Members of the House of Commons elected John Bercow, the Member
for Buckingham, Conservative, as Speaker.
The Rt Hon Greg Knight MP, House of Commons East Yorkshire
A meeting was arranged with The Right Honourable Greg Knight MP, the Member for East
Yorkshire, in the House of Commons, Conservative, and Chairman of the Procedure
Committee.
Mr Knight spoke about a range of current issues facing the House of Commons including the
furore of the expenses scandal.
As a leading Eurosceptic in the House of Commons, Mr Knight provided an insight into the
concerns many in the United Kingdom have regarding membership of the European Union.
These concerns include the devolvement of laws and regulations from the United Kingdom
and also the significant financial burdens.
Mr Knight MP is a long serving Member of the House of Commons who was elected as the
Member for Derby North from 1983 to 1997 and in 2001 was elected as the Member for East
Yorkshire. In 1995 Mr Knight was made a Privy Councillor.
In recent years, Mr Knight has been widely acknowledged as providing prodigious service to a
range of Parliamentary Committees. In particular, he is currently serving on five Select
Committees which is believed to be a feat achieved by no other Member of the House of
Commons by any party.
Mr Knight has held a variety of parliamentary positions during his career including:
1983 - 1997
1989 - 1993
1993 - 1996
1996 - 1997
2001 2001 - 2003
2001 - 2003
2003 - 2005
2003 - 2005
2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 -
Member for Derby North, House of Commons
Government Whip
Government Deputy Chief Whip
Minister of State for Industry at the Department of Trade and Industry
Member for East Yorkshire, House of Commons
Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
Shadow Minister on E-Government
Shadow Minister for Transport
Shadow Minister for Culture
Representative of the UK Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Organisation for Security in Europe
Chairman of the House of Commons Procedure Committee
Member of the Modernisation Committee
Member of the House of Commons Liaison Committee
Member of the House of Commons Administration Committee
On a trivial note, Greg Knight is also drummer and founding member of the parliamentary
rock group MP4, believed to be the world's only parliamentary rock group. MP4 has raised
significant funds of more than £500,000 for charity.
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Mark Hutton, Clerk of the Overseas Office, House of Commons
A brief meeting was arranged with Mr Mark Hutton, Clerk of the Overseas Office, House of
Commons. Mr Hutton is also Clerk of the Procedure Committee.
Mr Hutton spoke about his role as the Clerk of the Overseas Office. In particular, Mr Hutton
spoke of the promulgation of parliamentary management practices of Parliaments and
Legislatures of Commonwealth and to foster professional development.
The Overseas Office of the House of Commons was established in October 1967. According
to the official records of Westminster:
"The primary responsibilities assumed by the Overseas Office, which were previously
carried out largely by the Fourth Clerk, include advising legislatures of
Commonwealth Countries on aspects of parliamentary procedure and practice,
supplying extracts from the House of Commons Journals and Hansard where these
may be required as precedents, and advising on organisational matters involving their
legislative offices, particularly the construction or revision of Standing Orders or
Powers and Privileges Ordinances and in the drafting and re-drafting of Constitutions.
The Office is also responsible for arranging overseas visits to legislatures, mainly by
Clerks, to aid in larger scale revisions of constitutional and parliamentary documents
or re-organisation. The Office has additional duties in connection with the provision of
lectures on Parliament to the Civil Service College and other academic and
professional bodies, and liaises with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
(CPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Association of SecretariesGeneral mainly with regard to the organisation of parliamentary conferences and
seminars.
The Overseas Office continues to have responsibility for the organisation and
supervision of the programme for attachments and exchange visits of Clerks,
principally from Commonwealth countries though also from other foreign legislatures,
offering Clerks an opportunity to study at first hand the procedure and practices of
Parliament. The Office is also responsible for the arrangement of ad hoc visits by
other parliamentary officials, such as Presiding Officers and Speakers, and delegations
of foreign parliamentarians to Westminster, and in the organisation and planning of
Parliamentary Presentations to Independent Commonwealth countries. In addition to
these duties the Principal Clerk of the Overseas Office assumed the regular Table
duties previously carried out by the Fourth Clerk at the Table and also, from 1969
onwards, ex-officio responsibility for the administration of the affairs of the Society of
Clerks-at-the-Table in Commonwealth Parliaments, subject to the direction of the
Clerks of both Houses of Parliament. Activities undertaken by the Overseas Office in
connection with the various European Assemblies were initially the primary
responsibility of the Deputy Clerk of the Office, until the addition of work previously
carried out by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, concerning Members'
attendance at these European Assemblies, in April 1971 led to the formation of a
distinct European Section."
David Natzler, Clerk of Committees, House of Commons
A meeting was arranged with Mr David Natzler, Clerk of Committees, House of Commons.
17
Mr Natzler discussed the Committee system in the House of Commons. Permanent
Committees of the House of Commons are established under Standing Orders and set their
own agenda and are independent. Committees are also based upon departmental organisations
with exceptions of the Public Accounts Committee and the Environment Committee. Mr
Natzler also spoke about the regular crossover of investigations that take place in different
Committees.
The Clerk of the Committees office has six main staff; two Clerks, two administrative staff
(chief of staff and deputy) and two committee specialists. The Clerk of the Committees office
also employs specialists in particular fields as consultants to Select Committees.
Every Select Committee is served by one or more staff depending on requirement of the
particular committee with a total of approximately one hundred and fifty staff serving Select
Committees.
The Clerk of Committees office oversees a range of administrative and legislative
requirements of Committees including adherence with Regulations and Statutes, the use of
Parliamentary Privilege, reporting and also the use of evidence in Committees.
Lorraine Sutherland, Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons.
A meeting was arranged with Ms Lorraine Sutherland, Editor of the Official Report, also
known as Hansard.
Ms Sutherland spoke about the services provided by the Hansard Office and the current
processes used by Hansard reporting in the House of Commons.
Ms Sutherland advised that shorthand is no longer used by Hansard Reporters with
proceedings of the House of Commons now digitally recorded. Hansard staff then type
transcripts using these recordings. Ms Sutherland spoke of the high quality language skills
required by Hansard Reporters.
The Hansard Office employs approximately one hundred staff. The three main functions of
the Hansard Office belong to Reporters, Editors and Production staff.
There are currently sixteen Hansard Reporters for the House of Commons, fourteen in
Westminster Halls and fifteen assisting Committees.
Ms Sutherland spoke about the timely delivery of Hansard from when speakers are heard in
the House of Commons to the publication of these proceedings. The Hansard Office has a
three to four hour turn around time for Parliamentary proceedings to appear in Hansard on the
internet site of the Parliament.
Ms Sutherland also advised that Hansard, like that in many other jurisdictions, including South
Australia, is not transcribed strictly verbatim although is substantially verbatim with
repetitions and redundancies omitted and obvious mistakes corrected.
18
Members, however, are not allowed to make alterations of substance to speeches, add to
speeches or to add further material as allowed in some other legislatures.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Parliament of Scotland, Edinburgh
A range of meetings were arranged in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
At first glance, the Scottish Parliament (Parlamaid na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) also known
informally as Holyrood, appears to the casual observer to be more informal without the
historical atmosphere of Westminster. This observation is to be expected from the recently
built Scottish Parliamentary building.
The Scottish Parliament remains one of the most controversial buildings in Edinburgh. An
international competition was held to design a new building for the Scottish Parliament and
the design of the Spanish architect Enric Miralles was chosen in 1998 with the work awarded
to a Spanish-Scottish joint venture.
Work commenced in June 1999 and was scheduled to open in 2001. It was finally completed
in mid 2004. Cost blow-outs also remain a controversial point with initial budget estimates of
£40 million increasing to an estimated final cost of £414 million.
The Scottish Parliament complex is several interconnecting buildings along with architectural
devices said to be influenced by the landscape of Scotland. For example the building's roofs
are said to be inspired by upturned fishing boats and interior design installations inspired by
twigs and leaves from the Scottish countryside. Rooms in the Scottish Parliament are almost
universally non-uniform in shape, often with curved ceilings and other architectural devices
designed to reflect a sense of informality.
Views from the main entrance to the Scottish Parliament.
19
The Scottish Parliament from the eastern side of the building complex.
View of roof-tops and connecting buildings of the Scottish Parliament.
The MSP building has unusual window spaces that project out from the building that have a seat and shelving
designed to be "contemplation spaces". The metal grills appearing on the left hand side of many windows are
said to be inspired by twigs and grass.
20
Committee rooms are universally non-uniform in design with features inspired by the Scottish landscape.
Devolution
On 11 September 1997, a referendum was held in Scotland to establish the level of support
from the people of Scotland for devolution. The referendum had two propositions: that a
Scottish Parliament should be created and that it should have certain tax-varying powers. A
clear majority of Scottish voters supported both of these propositions by significant majorities.
Following the referendum, the Scotland Bill was introduced in the UK Parliament in January
1998 establishing the Scotland Act 1998. The first elections for the Scottish Parliament were
held on 6 May 1999, and the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament took place on 12 May
1999. On 1 July 1999, the Scottish Parliament was officially opened by Her Majesty the
Queen and received its full legislative powers.
In particular, Scottish Devolution has provided the delegation of a range of powers from
Westminster and the UK Government to the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Parliament has legislative power to make laws on devolved matters which are
principally those with a local or regional focus. Key devolved matters include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
agriculture, forestry and fishing
education and training
environment
Gaelic
health
housing
law and home affairs
local government
natural and built heritage
planning
police and fire services
social work
sport and the arts
statistics and public records
tourism and economic development
21
•
some aspects of transport, including roads and buses
The UK Parliament retains power to legislate on a range of reserved matters that have a
significant national focus or concern international affairs. The UK Parliament can also
legislate on matters that apply to Scotland on any subject, but does not normally legislate on
devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. Key reserved matters
include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the Constitution
foreign policy
immigration and nationality
social security
defence and national security
fiscal and economic affairs
trade and industry
nuclear energy, oil, coal, gas and electricity
employment
some aspects of transport, including national road and rail safety
Margaret Neal, Secretary, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Scotland Branch
A meeting was arranged with Ms Margaret Neal, the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association, Scotland Branch.
Ms Neal provided a briefing on the Scottish Parliament and devolution in Scotland.
There are 129 Members of the unicameral Scottish Parliament elected for four year terms.
Voters in 73 constituencies each elect a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) via a first
past the post electoral system. A further 56 Members of the Scottish Parliament are elected
via multi-member constituencies.
Voters in eight larger electoral areas known as Regions vote for a political party, or for a
candidate standing as an independent. These Regional electorates each elect seven MSP's
(known as Regional MSP's).
The Regional MSP's are also known as List MSP's as the political parties put forward a list of
candidates for each Region in order of preference. Although voters vote for a party similar to
Australian Senate above the line voting, the names of independent candidates are also listed.
The election of Regional MSP's is via a type of proportional representation known as the
Additional Member System (AMS). The election of MSP's to Regional seats via the AMS is
calculated using a formula called the d'Hondt formula. Within each Region, this formula
takes into account the number of regional votes that a party has received and the number of
constituency seats it has already won.
The use of AMS results in the share of seats each party receives broadly reflecting the
proportion of votes received. The use of this electoral system is similar to that employed by
New Zealand and Germany.
22
Like the South Australian Legislative Council or the Australian Senate, a number of Regional
MSP's can be elected from a political party which has received a significant minority of the
regional electorate vote although not electing any constituent MSP's.
Conversely, it is possible for a political party to elect fewer Regional MSP's based on the
proportion of their regional vote if they received a greater number of constituent seats than
their actual proportion of votes.
The outcome of such an electoral system is one which political parties that do well in winning
significant numbers of tightly held marginal constituent seats can be perversely penalised by
not electing Regional MSP's - even winners can be losers. According the Scottish Parliament:
"If a party has done well in the regional vote it can win a number of representatives in
the Parliament – even if it did not win any constituency seats outright. However, if a
party has done well in the constituency vote, and has won enough seats to reflect its
overall share of the vote, it may not win any regional seats at all."
Another unusual aspect of the Scottish Electoral System is that someone can be a candidate for
a constituency as well as a candidate in a Regional party list. If someone in this position is
elected to a constituency then they will be discounted when allocating Regional seats.
The use of the AMS system via the d'Hondt formula makes it very difficult for Majority
Government to be formed. Currently, the Scottish Nationalist Party has Minority Government
with a mere 47 seats in the 129 seat Scottish Parliament. Following the third Scottish
Parliament General Election in 2007, the Parliament was represented as follows:
Scottish Nationalist Party 47
Scottish Labour Party 46
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 17
Scottish Liberal Democrats 16
Scottish Green Party 2
Independent 1
Currently, approximately one third of seats in the Scottish Parliament are held by women.
Rosemary Everett, Head of Education and Community Partnerships, Scottish
Parliament
Ms Rosemary Everett, the Head of Education and Community Partnerships at the Scottish
Parliament provided a briefing on the role of community consultation.
The Scottish Parliament has a programme of researching and identifying population cohorts
who do not engage with the Scottish Parliament and political processes. The demographics of
the Scottish population identified as not engaging with the Scottish Parliament and the
political processes include youth, people from a range of multicultural backgrounds, persons
not currently engaged in employment, education or training and also persons with disabilities.
The Scottish Parliament has an extensive programme of education campaigns and community
consultation. This program is undertaken through a variety of forums to involve and educate
the people of Scotland, particularly those not engaged with government or political parties.
23
Education campaigns focusing on the roles and the processes of the Scottish Parliament are
ongoing with public meetings held in the Parliament, council offices, church halls and other
community venues to inform and engage members of the public.
The Scottish Parliament facilitates approximately sixty to seventy parliamentary groups that
members of the public can attend. These parliamentary groups provide informal discussion on
a range of policy issues and topics. The groups are chaired by Members of the Scottish
Parliament and meet predominantly in the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Parliament also encourages members of the public to attend and engage
involvement in Parliamentary Committee meetings held in the Scottish Parliament complex
and elsewhere in Scotland.
The Scottish Parliament also promotes the use of petitions to engage the views of the local
population. A Petitions Committee investigates issues raised in petitions received and
forwards them to an appropriate Parliamentary Committee for further investigation which in
turn can influence Scottish Government policy.
Approximately 1,200 petitions have been received by the Scottish Parliament and petitions can
be received via an email e-petitions system. Petitions to the Scottish Parliament do not require
a Member to lodge a petition and the Petitions Clerk can also assist petitioners with the
wording of petitions.
The Scottish Parliament also has an extensive schools programme. An inward schools
program brings schools and their students into Parliament House where they can be taken on
tours of Holyrood, can view proceedings of the Parliament via the gallery and can meet local
Members of the Scottish Parliament.
An outward schools programme is also provided targeting schools of social and geographic
disadvantage. Parliamentary officers visit schools and provide a range of activities to educate
students on the role of the Scottish Parliament and political processes.
Officers from the Scottish Parliament also provide training to teachers to assist the delivery of
programmes to schools.
The schools programme provided by the Scottish Parliament is impressive. It appears that
other legislatures could gain an insight to improve their own schools programmes by
investigating the methods employed by the Scottish Parliament.
Dr Jim Johnston, Clerk Team Leader, Finance Committee, Scottish Parliament
A meeting was arranged with Dr Jim Johnston the Clerk Team Leader from the Finance
Committee. Dr Johnston spoke about the role of the Scottish Parliament and the Committees.
The establishment of the Consultative Steering Group in 1997 was created to report on the
"operational needs and working methods" of the Scottish Parliament and to make rules for
Standing Orders and procedure. Its main report "Shaping Scotland's Parliament" was released
in 1999 and identified the four core principles which have been adopted by the Parliament:
24
•
The Scottish Parliament should embody and reflect the sharing of power between the
people of Scotland, the legislators and the Scottish Executive;
•
The Scottish Executive should be accountable to the Scottish Parliament and the
Parliament and Executive should be accountable to the people of Scotland;
•
The Scottish Parliament should be accessible, open, responsive, and develop
procedures which make possible a participative approach to the development,
consideration and scrutiny of policy and legislation; and
•
The Scottish Parliament in its operation and its appointments should recognise the need
to promote equal opportunities for all.
Dr Johnston explained that the Scottish Parliament contrasts with the House of Commons in
the less confrontational approach undertaken by MSP's. Dr Johnson also explained that the
activities of the Scottish Parliament are more driven by consensus decision making. Dr
Johnston explained this approach is a result of a variety of factors not least of which are the
four core principles adopted by the Scottish Parliament.
The Parliamentary Chamber which has a semi-circle design like many legislative chambers in
Europe is also designed to be less confrontational. Unlike Westminster and the South
Australian Parliament, the First Minister does not sit directly across from the main Leader of
the Opposition, rather the First Minister is seated facing the Presiding Officer.
The Scottish Parliament is seen and promoted as having a bottom-up approach to
representation through the use of public consultation and use of public and e-petitions. The
Committees of the Scottish Parliament also adhere to this approach when investigating
legislation prior to its tabling in the Parliament. These Committee investigations include
contacting stakeholders and public consultation. The Government can also run consultation
concerning legislation. Public consultation is seen not necessarily as scrutinising the
Government, but as a way of improving legislation.
There are three stages of legislation in the Scottish Parliament:
Stage One
The general principles of a Bill are provided to the Parliamentary Bureau.
The main functions of the Parliamentary Bureau are:
• To propose the Parliament's programme of business;
• To propose alterations to the daily business list;
• To propose the establishment, remit, membership and duration of any committee or
sub-committee; and
• To determine any question regarding the competence of a committee to deal with a
matter and, to determine the lead committee in relation to any matter that falls within
the competence of more than one committee.
25
Committees conduct a range of public consultation concerning the proposed Bill. It is
endeavoured that consultation will bolster civic society to scrutinise the role of Parliament and
also increase accessibility and engagement.
The main committee provides a Stage 1 Report to Parliament in Committee.
Stage Two
There is a Second Reading debate in Parliament, after which the Bill goes back to Committee.
In Committee detailed scrutiny of the Bill occurs and amendments are debated, although most
amendments are from the Executive.
Stage Three
The Bill goes before Parliament. Committee Clerks draft advice with the legislative team for
backbenchers.
As a result of this legislative process, Committees have become increasingly concerned with
consultation for the legislative program at the expense of inquiry work. Another effect of
these legislative processes has been a decrease in legislation with increased regulation and
policy initiatives that do not need legislation.
Dr Johnston provided an interesting overview of the processes concerning the Scottish Budget.
Dr Johnston explained that the Scottish Budget and Money Bills are not dealt with by the
Scottish Parliament in the same manner as that occurring in Westminster. The Scottish
Parliament provides for far greater scrutiny of the Budget compared with many other
legislatures.
The Draft Budget is presented on 20 September each year after which significant scrutiny is
placed upon it. Committees review areas of the budget that affect their areas of purvey and
make recommendations. Recommendations are generally to cut spending in one area of the
Budget to spend elsewhere. From January the Budget is debated in the Parliament. In March
the final Bill is voted by the Parliament. If Parliament rejects the final Bill in March then the
Budget reverts to that of the previous year.
If the Budget is not passed by the Parliament, the Government can go to an election.
However, minority Government parties have not been willing to pursue this route to end a
budgetary deadlock.
The overall Scottish Budget is allocated from Westminster via an amount per head of
population and is also provided block grants. Westminster provides a guaranteed minimum
amount of funding per head of population which favours Scotland by more that £1,000 per
person.
The Scottish Government raises no taxes and has no borrowing powers. The Scottish
Parliament can slightly amend rates of taxation as laid down by Westminster although the final
budgetary result is minor. Dr Johnston advised there has been increasing debate in Scotland
on increasing fiscal independence from Westminster along with overall greater independence
and autonomy. Although the Scottish Government has no borrowing powers they are able to
fund big infrastructure projects via the Scottish Future Fund.
26
Dr Johnston also spoke about the process of Devolution through the Scotland Act of 1998 and
the powers devolved to the Scottish Government.
First Minister's Question Time, Scottish Parliament
It was arranged to witness the First Minister's Question Time from the Presiding Officer's
Gallery.
The Presiding Officer, Mr Ferguson graciously welcomed visitors immediately prior to First
Minister's Question Time:
"The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): Before we move to questions to the First
Minister, I know that members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the
Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Parliament of South Australia, the Hon Jack
Snelling MP. Mr Speaker, you are most welcome. [Applause.]"
Similar to Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons, The First Minister's
Question Time occurs for a thirty minute period each sitting week and allows for questions to
be put to the First Minister by MSP's from the Government and non-Government MSP's.
Six questions are selected by the Presiding Officer and these are published in the Business
Bulletin, normally on the Tuesday before they will be asked in the Debating Chamber. MSP's
who ask the First Minister questions also have the opportunity to ask multiple supplementary
questions.
The initial impression of the Debating Chamber was the difference with Westminster and the
South Australian House of Assembly with its semi-circle shape more readily identified with
European Parliaments (see below).
27
The Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
There are several other main differences in the Debating Chamber compared with the South
Australian House of Assembly. MSP's have individual desks with inbuilt lecterns and are
seated on chairs similar to executive office chairs.
Each desk also has a voting console that MSP's activate via a unique identification card that
allows speaking and electronic voting in debates. The electronic voting by MSP's also allows
their vote to be recorded which is then published the following day in the Official Report.
MSP's may sit anywhere in the Debating Chamber, but generally sit with MSP's from the
same party.
Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament
At the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament after a general election, the Parliament elects
one MSP to serve as Presiding Officer along with two Deputy Presiding Officers. Similar to
the House of Commons, the Presiding Officer is expected to refrain from all party political
activities.
The role of the Presiding Officer is similar to the role of the Speaker in the South Australian
House of Assembly. These roles include:
•
•
•
chairing meetings of the Parliament;
convening and chairing meetings of the Parliamentary Bureau;
deciding on questions about the rules for parliamentary proceedings;
28
•
•
representing the Parliament in discussions with other parliamentary or governmental
bodies; and
chairing the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.
Mr Fergusson was first elected to the Scottish Parliament as a Scottish Conservative and
Unionist Party List MSP for the South of Scotland region. In 2003, Mr Fergusson was elected
as the Constituency Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale and re-elected at the 2007
elections.
Mr Fergusson MSP was elected Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament in 2007 via a
secret ballot. He was overwhelmingly supported by the Scottish Parliament receiving 108
votes with Margot McDonald, Independent, receiving 20 votes.
Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Fergusson kindly hosted a luncheon in the Queensberry House Dining Room with MSP's
from across the party spectrum in the Scottish Parliament: Ted Brocklebank, Regional MSP
for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; Sandra White, MSP for
Glasgow, Scottish National Party; Jamie Stone MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter
Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats; and Karen Gillon MSP for Clydesdale, Scottish Labour.
A most convivial lunch was held with stimulating discussion about devolution, the political
processes in Scotland and the running of the Scottish Parliament.
During the luncheon Mr Fergusson interestingly mentioned a family connection with the City
of Adelaide. Apparently, Gilbert Street in the City of Adelaide is named after one of Mr
Fergusson's forebears.
Mr Fergusson appears to be universally respected by the Scottish Parliament and MSP's from
across the political spectrum which is important in a legislature with such diverse political
representation.
Broadcasting of Scottish Parliament
During a tour of the Scottish Parliament, it was arranged to visit the impressive recording and
broadcasting facilities in the Scottish Parliament.
29
Business in the Debating Chamber and all the Committee rooms are broadcast via webcast at
www.holyrood.tv . Proceedings from the Scottish Parliament can be accessed via this interne
site for a month after they take place. Most Debating Chamber events are also webcast live.
A weekly Highlights programme is released every Thursday at 12.30 pm at www.holyrood.tv
and has recently been made available as a video podcast.
The Debating Chamber. Note the location of cameras along the front of the chamber.
Cameras are operated remotely in the Debating Chamber and Committee rooms and sound
facilities for the Debating Chamber is located in a booth behind and to the left of the Presiding
Officer.
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
A meeting was arranged with Members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB),
Tom McCabe MSP and Judith Proudfoot, Secretary to the SPCB, to discuss the Scottish
Parliament's approach to institutional management.
The five members of the SPCB are elected by the Scottish Parliament including the Presiding
Officer who chairs:
•
•
•
•
•
Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer
Alex Johnstone MSP, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Tom McCabe MSP, Scottish Labour
Tricia Marwick MSP, Scottish National Party
Mark Pringle MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrats
According to the Scottish Parliament:
"The Corporate Body is responsible for ensuring that the Parliament is provided with
the property, staff and services it requires. A continuing key priority of the Corporate
Body and its staff is to make sure that the Scottish Parliament can operate effectively
and that MSP's are able to carry out their duties.
The Corporate Body considers and makes decisions on a wide range of issues to do
with the running of the Parliament including the financing of the Parliament and
30
allocation of the budget, the staffing of the Parliament, accommodation and the use and
security of Parliamentary facilities at Holyrood."
The SPCB also provide the framework for MSP allowances which are voted by Parliament.
The SPCB and the Scottish Parliament have a very open policy on MSP's allowances and all
expense receipts have been placed on the Parliament's internet site since 2004. These expense
receipts are downloaded onto the Scottish Parliament's internet site every three months.
Further, if a MSP has an expense claim rejected then they can appeal to the SPCB.
Scottish MSP's are provided with a second home allowance to assist with attending
proceedings of the Scottish Parliament. These allowances primarily provide for mortgage
interest and utilities for their second home. It was explained that there is a different culture of
MSP's claiming expenses compared with Westminster. It is for these reasons that
Westminster is believed to be investigating the Scottish Parliament's approach to Members'
expenses to assist the formulation of new expenses guidelines.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Right Honourable Frank Field, MP
The Rt Hon Frank Field is distinguished as a policy maker and would have important
contributions to make on welfare policy.
While much of Mr Field's expertise is in areas administered by the Commonwealth, he would
have contributions to make in areas such as child protection and housing. Mr Field could also
bring his experience to bear in the management of the APY Lands.
Recommendation:
That The Rt Hon Frank Field MP be invited to South Australia as a 'Thinker in Residence'.
Parliament Remuneration and Allowances
My observation of the scandal engulfing Westminster confirmed in my mind the importance
of transparency in the payment and use of allowances by MPs. The second home allowance
that was at the centre of the scandal was established with a tacit understanding that it was in
lieu of a pay rise. Members used the allowance as if it was their own money. Second, there
was little or no disclosure of the use of the allowance. The allowance was exempt from the
normal FOI provisions. A culture developed where there was little or no restraint in the use of
the allowance.
This was in stark contrast to the Scottish Parliament where there was full disclosure of
allowances paid to MPs on the internet. As a result, there had been few problems from
Scottish MSPs misusing their allowances.
In South Australia I have expanded the disclosure of allowances by expanding what is
included in the Annual Travel Report tabled in the Parliament. I have continued the policy of
uploading members' travel reports onto the internet. Second, I have attempted to comply with
31
recommendations of the Auditor-General and insisted on full cooperation from the staff of the
House of Assembly. Third, I have adopted a long standing recommendation of the Auditor
General that the House of Assembly have a tabled annual report with audited financial
statements included. However, I do believe that the Parliament could go further in the level of
detail that is included in our reports. There, may also be scope for information to be uploaded
to the interne at shorter intervals. Consideration should also be given to the level of
disclosure in the use of allowances, such as the global allowance, that are not administered by
the Parliament.
Recommendation:
That as much detail as practicable be put in the public domain on MPs remuneration and
allowances and the use thereof
Parliamentary education
Proceedings of the Scottish Parliament are made available on the intemet. This allows the
public to view proceedings in real time from across Scotland and around the world. Schools
in particular make use of webcasting of parliament. The South Australian Parliament has
made a great deal of progress with a view to readying the Parliament for broadcasting.
Recommendation:
That parliamentary proceedings be webcast. That this be phased in to begin with audio and
the video as finances allowed.
The Scottish Parliament places a great deal of emphasis on education of students by both
encouraging visits to the Parliament and by officers of the Parliament visiting disadvantaged
schools.
Recommendation:
That the State Parliament continues to support its education program and in particular to
expand the program of visits to remote schools by the Parliament's Education Officer.
32
France
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
AREVA NC
The French multinational energy conglomerate AREVA is involved in a range of energy
programs although most well known as the one of world's leading designers and builders of
nuclear power plants.
AREVA is involved in every stage of the nuclear fuel cycle from mining, chemistry,
enrichment, fuel fabrication, generation of nuclear power, transmission, distribution and
recycling.
Nuclear energy accounts for approximately 20% of world-wide electricity generated.
However, in contrast, approximately 80% of electricity generated in France is from nuclear
energy via 59 nuclear reactors.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency there are 436 nuclear reactors currently
in operation world-wide with a total net installed capacity of 370.221 gigawatt electrical
(GWe). Further, there are 52 nuclear power reactors under construction.
Number of Reactors in Operation Worldwide
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FRANCE
JAPAN Jimm■m
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
UNITED KINGDOM
16
CANADA J.
GERMANY J
INDIA
1 15
UKRAINE —▪
CHINA
SWEDEN
110
SPAIN
BELGIUM
CZECH REPUBLIC•
6
SWITZERLAND
FINLAND j• nn
4
HUNGARY
4
SLOVAK REPUBLIC—.
ARGENTINA 5▪ -2 4
BRAZIL
2
BULGARIA ;7 2
MEXICO —▪ 2
PAKISTAN JT 2
ROMANIA r 2
SOUTH AFRICA t 2
ARMENIA .; 1
LITHUANIA. REPUBLIC OF ; I
NETHERLANDS _; 1
SLOVENIA 1
,1
1111111M
59
131
j 19
11
7
6
5
0
20
World Total: 436 reactor units
40
60
80
100
Nuclear reactors in operation world-wide according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. August 2009.
There are currently 303 light water nuclear reactors in service world-wide. AREVA and its
subsidies have been involved in building 100 of these nuclear reactors producing 100,000
megawatt electricity (MWe) of power, or 31% of the world's installed capacity generated from
light water reactors.
Although the majority of nuclear power reactors built by AREVA are located in France, a
significant number of plants are located elsewhere in Western Europe. AREVA has also been
33
involved in the design and construction of nuclear power plants in North Asia, South America
and South Africa.
AREVA's nuclear power plants in operation and under construction:
Europe
Belgium
Finland
France
Germany
Netherlands
Spain
Switzerland
Total
Rest of the World
3
1
59
17
1
1
1
Argentina
Brazil
China (PRC)
South Africa
South Korea
Total
1
1
4
2
2
10
83
Types of Nuclear Power Plants
Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) in operation
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) in operation
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) in operation
European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) under construction
Shutdown Reactors
84
6
1
2
7
100
The preponderance of nuclear power generation in France is directly attributed to the first oil
crisis in 1973. At the time, France chose nuclear energy to achieve energy independence and
AREVA NP was selected to be the sole supplier of nuclear energy generation systems. As
previously noted, France produces nearly 80% of its electrical power from 59 nuclear power
plants. It is estimated the use of nuclear power in France saves the importation of 130 million
tonnes of coal each year.
The impact of energy generation on the environment and the rise of environmental concerns
including theories on climate change have leant greater discussion about the future use of
nuclear energy. AREVA amongst many others involved in nuclear energy generation are
quick to point out numerous environmental benefits associated with nuclear power.
Producing nuclear power does not generate any greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide
(CO2). In particular, it is claimed the use of nuclear power generation in Europe reduces the
level of CO2 emitted by 700 million tonnes per year thus reducing total global CO2 emissions
by 10%.
AREVA is keen to point out the increasing efficiencies provided by modern nuclear reactors
through technological improvements. It is claimed the cost of nuclear energy remains a
cheaper source of energy compared with fossil fuels and other alternative forms of electricity
generation. Nuclear energy is also seen as a clean form of energy generation so long as waste
products from spent fuel are properly managed.
34
Further, the amount of energy produced by small volumes of uranium and plutonium is also
emphasised. 100 grams of uranium or 1 gram of plutonium produces the same electrical
energy as 1 or 2 tonnes of oil.
AREVA NC La Hague Nuclear Reprocessing Plant
A tour was arranged of the AREVA NC La Hague nuclear reprocessing plant located on the
Normandy Coast along with a presentation of AREVA's extensive energy operations.
The La Hague complex.
AREVA reprocesses nuclear material from the tlectricite de France (EDF), the French
government-owned electric utility and also from nuclear power plants overseas. AREVA
operates two reprocessing plants in France, the Melox plant located in Marcoule that is a
leader in reprocessing materials into MOX fuel (which is described later) and La Hague which
separates recyclable materials and waste.
The La Hague complex includes two reprocessing plants employing almost 6,000 people, of
which 3,400 are employees of AREVA NC.
The La Hague complex was commissioned in 1966 and has the capacity to process 1,700
tonnes of fuel from 90 to 100 reactors. Since this time, over 21,000 tonnes of fuel has been
processed at the La Hague complex. Approximately half of the nuclear fuel reprocessed at the
La Hague complex is from the French nuclear energy programme and approximately half from
foreign nuclear energy producers.
AREVA NC's customers remain the owners of their spent fuel. Once the reprocessing process
is complete, the waste is returned via the same transportation methods (as described later).
The reprocessing of spent fuel from nuclear power stations includes the receiving and storing
of fuel before processing; separating and purifying uranium and plutonium; and packing the
different waste.
After three to four years of use at a nuclear power station, spent fuel rods are removed from
service containing between 94% to 96% of uranium and approximately 1% plutonium.
Although this material no longer has optimum efficiency, it still retains significant energy.
The reprocessing of this material is to recover uranium and plutonium that can be recycled
35
into new fuel. The remaining 3% to 5% is highly radioactive waste that is separated and
processed for safe storage.
The tour of the La Hague complex included witnessing the receiving of spent fuel rods packed
in casks weighing 110 tonnes that can hold up to 10 tonnes of nuclear material. These
specifically designed storage units are impressively strong and are hermetically sealed to stop
radiation escaping, although they allow heat to escape and can also resist extreme
temperatures and violent collisions. The casks are transported in purpose designed boats,
trains and trucks from their originating source to the reprocessing plant.
•
;>Itir
Jack Snelling inspecting a cask of spent fuel rods on its arrival at the La Hague complex.
A cask of spent fuel rods, seen in detail, as used by AREVA at the La Hague complex.
The spent fuel rods are transferred from these casks and placed in baskets which are stored in
large indoor ponds for three years to cool down before reprocessing commences. A visit was
made to one of the four storage ponds on site. These storage ponds have a total capacity of up
to 14,000 tonnes of spent fuel. The size of these storage ponds is impressively large to the
civilian observer.
36
Spent fuel baskets in one of the storage ponds at the La Hague facility.
As the nuclear material placed in these storage ponds still produces energy and thus heat, a
system of water circulation is in place to cool and filter water in a closed circuit.
Visiting one of the control rooms at the La Hague complex.
After separating and purifying uranium and plutonium, the waste materials are then vitrified, a
process where radioactive materials are incorporated into a glass matrix which is poured into
stainless steel canisters. The metallic fuel rods made from a zirconium-iron-pewter alloy once
cleaned are sheared into 35mm lengths. These sheared "hulls" are then cleaned, compressed
and compacted and then placed into stainless steel canisters.
The amount of waste produced by French nuclear materials is equivalent to 10 grams per year
per head of population which is the same weight as a 2 Euro coin.
37
Universal Canister for
vitrified waste
Universal Canister for
compacted waste
Conditioning of fission products
(waste from nuclear fission)
Conditioning of hulls and end-fittings
(fuel assembly skeletons)
and technological waste
Vitrified and metallic waste materials are
placed in stainless steel canisters.
Jack Snelling shown an empty canister at La Hague.
The canisters of waste materials are then placed in the storage hall which was visited.
The storage hall at La Hague.
AREVA is a leader in the recycling of plutonium into a fuel that is a mixture of uranium oxide
and plutonium that is known as MOX. This fuel can then be used in a number of nuclear
plants for power generation. Of particular interest is that defense origin plutonium can be
converted into MOX fuel for re-use. AREVA has initiated a programme to recycle military
plutonium from the United States of America and Russia into fuel for civilian nuclear power
generation.
The staff at the La Hague complex emphasised the extensive safety features of the
reprocessing plant including use of robotic controlled devices for the handling of radioactive
materials throughout the reprocessing of nuclear waste materials.
38
Jack Snelling being shown one of the sealed off work spaces where robotic arms are used to perform tasks.
AREVA takes great pride in the programs undertaken to protect staff from nuclear materials
and radiation. It is estimated that approximately three hundred staff of AREVA NC are
involved in various facets of nuclear safety including monitoring radiation, training staff in
radiological risk prevention and monitoring the environment.
It is compulsory for staff working in particular areas of the La Hague plant to wear a
dosimeter that detects radiation. While at the La Hague complex AREVA provided a
dosimeter to be worn during the tour.
39
Looking into one of the work areas through specifically designed safety glass windows. Note the packs worn
around the waist containing safety equipment and also the dosimeter worn by Jack Snelling.
The health program at La Hague includes a regime of medical check-ups for staff. Depending
on specific duties, staff at the La Hague site are given at least one medical check-up per year.
These medical check-ups are provided to all staff onsite including sub-contractors.
AREVA has a medical department at the La Hague complex that employs approximately fifty
healthcare professionals including doctors specialised in healthphysics, nurses, ergonomists
and senior health and safety technicians. The La Hague complex also has a medical laboratory
on site with pharmacists, biologists, engineers and laboratory technicians.
AREVA were not only keen to impress upon visitors to the La Hague complex of the safety
programs undertaken to protect the health of their employees, but also on the surrounding
environment.
Since the La Hague complex was brought into service in 1966, it is claimed the amount and
impact of any discharges into the environment has been dramatically reduced by a factor of
five, even though the amount of materials reprocessed has considerably increased.
The effluents and gaseous emissions produced as a by-product of reprocessing waste are
themselves processed and the discharging of these by-products are strictly controlled.
Effluents which contain all the radioactivity is vitrified with fission materials (as previously
described). Water that has low-level radioactivity is cleaned, purified and checked and is
released into the sea as authorised by the French Government. Gaseous emissions are also
processed using specific equipment and checked before release into the atmosphere as
authorised by the French Government. Importantly, all discharges and emissions of effluents
and gaseous materials are only completed if they have no impact on staff, the local population
and the environment.
40
AREVA has a policy of "zero impact" on the local population. The impact of radioactive
emissions on humans is measured in "millisieverts" a unit of measurement that takes into
account the specific effect of each type of radioactive product.
The La Hague complex is committed to ensuring its impact on the population will never
exceed a rate of 0.03 millisieverts per year. This level is considered to be the threshold below
which the risk for humans becomes insignificant and has "zero impact". This rate is below the
maximum acceptable impact of a nuclear power station at 1 millisievert per year as set by the
International Commission on Radiological Protection. Interestingly, the 0.03 millisieverts
impact on the local population is claimed to correspond to the level of natural radiation
occurring with a change in altitude of 400 metres.
To ensure these high standards AREVA NC undertakes more than one hundred sample
readings and analysis every day. This monitoring of the local environment includes testing of
water, flora and fauna and sediments along and off the coastline. Monitoring on land includes
extensive testing from the entire food chain including, grass, milk, drinking water and
vegetables. Water sources including rivers, streams, drinking and ground water are also
monitored. Air quality is monitored via each of the stacks at the complex as well as in five
neighbouring villages.
AREVA claims that approximately 83,000 analyses each year are undertaken on
approximately 26,000 samples taken from over 800 locations in the immediate and
surrounding region.
One of the initial impressions when arriving at the La Hague complex is the impressive level
of security throughout. Several perimeters of security are located at the La Hague complex
including fencing, intruder detection devices, surveillance cameras, check points and use of
security cards for staff.
The Local Security Team comprising 180 personnel undertakes fire fighting, security and first
aid responsibilities to protect staff, the facilities and equipment. Many of the staff have
professional backgrounds in these professions prior to employment at La Hague, particularly
fire fighters and dog handlers. The majority of Local Security Team staff also undertake
regular duty rotation to retain a range of proficiencies.
AREVA boasts an impressive fire fighting capacity at the La Hague complex equal to those of
a town with a population of 35,000. The fire fighting program is one of prevention and instant
reaction to the slightest incident facilitated by 180 detection panels, 7,400 detectors, 240 fixed
fire extinguishing devices, 1,600 fire dampers and 7,400 extinguishers!
The environmental and safety programs initiated by AREVA at the La Hague complex are
treated very seriously. It is obvious that AREVA identifies its standing as a leader in nuclear
power and waste reprocessing as one which is dependent on its extensive environmental and
safety programs.
41
EDF Flamanville Nuclear Reactor Complex
AREVA also arranged a visit to the EDF Flamanville nuclear reactor complex.
The Flamanville nuclear reactor site of approximately 60 hectares is located in Lower
Normandy. The site currently has two Pressurised Water Reactors producing 1300 MW of
power each. In 2008, these two reactors generating 11.03 Terra watt hours (Twh) of
electricity which is approximately 3% of French electrical power consumption. The first of
these reactors was commissioned in December 1985 and the second reactor was commissioned
in July 1986. The number of employees (EDF employees and permanent contractors) at the
two sites is approximately 850.
The Flamanville complex. February 2008.
AREVA is currently constructing a third nuclear reactor at the Flamanville site which is
commonly referred to as Flamanville 3. This advanced European Pressurised Reactor (EPR)
is one of two such nuclear reactors under construction in France. Preparatory construction
work began in 2006 and is expected to be commissioned in 2012 generating 1650 MW of
power. The total cost of the Flamanville 3 reactor is currently projected at approximately 4
billion Euros including capital expenditure and development costs and delays to construction.
The visit to the Flamanville site afforded a tour of the existing nuclear reactors and also a tour
of the EPR under construction. The EPR is a third generation pressurised water reactor
designed by AREVA NP and EDF in France. The EPR is also known as an Evolutionary
Power Reactor.
42
A recent view of the Flamanville 3 construction site. The reactor will be housed in the
circular area in the foreground and the turbine hall is immediately behind.
Construction of Flamanville 3 from the coastal side of the site.
Note the heavy vehicles at various locations as a key for the overall size of the project site.
Interestingly, photos of the Flamanville 3 complex during the construction phase are updated
on AREVA's internet site every month.
The EPR nuclear reactor is a new generation nuclear reactor which is claimed to be safer,
produce greater levels of power more efficiently, with lower volumes of waste per kWh
generated.
As with all nuclear power plants, the EPR plant at Flamanville will generate electricity
without any CO2 emissions. The EPR can use 5% enriched uranium oxide fuel and also up to
50% mixed uranium plutonium oxide (MOX) fuel.
Improvements to the EPR design are expected to reduce chemical and radioactive releases to
the environment by at least 30% per kWh during the operating phase. Further, there will be an
overall reduction in the volume of radioactive waste including a 30% decrease for certain
waste categories.
43
Greater efficiencies for the EPR is expected to result in 17% less fuel required than current
1450MW reactors. These along with refuelling outage times which are 2 to 3 times shorter,
are expected to increase annual power output by 36% compared with current reactors.
An artist's impression of the Flamanville site once construction of Flamanville 3 is complete.
During the 5 year construction phase, the project will employ approximately 2,300 personnel.
Once the plant is commissioned, the Flamanville 3 site will employ 300 permanent staff.
Current nuclear power plants are expected to have a lifespan of approximately forty years with
a number of early nuclear plants in France expected to be decommissioned around 2020. The
average age of a nuclear power plant in France is approximately 20 years. Due to France's
reliance on nuclear energy for electricity production and the current average age of nuclear
reactors, AREVA is expecting to construct and commission a number of new reactors during
the next ten to twenty years. It is estimated the lifespan of an EPR will be sixty years.
The EPR is expected to be the new benchmark in nuclear reactors if early plants are
successful. EPR plants are currently under construction in France, Finland and the People's
Republic of China with further plants to be built in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy
and India.
It is unfortunate that few Australians are able to visit such facilities to see for themselves the
operations of nuclear power plants and nuclear reprocessing plants. The nuclear industry is
one which is often maligned through the promulgation of outdated and incorrect information,
particularly those associated with the environmental and health effects of nuclear power and
reprocessing. Criticism of nuclear energy is also often fueled in emotive terms that avoid
discussion on current nuclear generation.
The construction of nuclear power plants is not something that can be completed in a few short
years. In Europe it takes approximately 8 years between the decision to implement a project
and the commissioning of a nuclear power plant: 3 years for preparation and regulatory
procedures and 5 years for actual construction. These are decisions not completed on a whim,
generally requiring support from government and also the local population near the intended
site.
44
In 2006 Dr Ziggy Switkowski was appointed by the Federal Government to initiate an inquiry
into the viability of nuclear power in Australia. This inquiry found the first nuclear reactor in
Australia could be in operation within 15 years and that 25 nuclear reactors could be built by
2050, producing 30 percent of the nation's electricity.
Although the current Federal Government does not support the recommendations of this
inquiry, the issue of nuclear power generation in Australia is one that will be periodically
raised as a possible option for the future.
If a viable nuclear plant was initiated in Australia there are likely to be a range of significant
employment opportunities during the construction phase and also during its operation. It is
reported that an average nuclear power plant with 2 reactors directly employs between 600 and
700 personnel whereas those with 4 reactors have around 1200 employees. These employee
figures do not include ongoing employment opportunities to sub-contractors. Importantly,
many of these jobs require highly skilled and educated employees.
The criteria for choosing the site of a nuclear power plant are similar to that for conventional
coal or oil-fired plants. Nuclear power plants need to cool their equipment in order to operate
and as a consequence, are generally located on coastal areas or on the banks of a river. The
site is also selected on the basis of energy requirements, particularly industry and the location
of major population centres.
The type of subsoil, which must be able to bear significant loads, proximity of other risksignificant industrial facilities such as chemical plants and the general environment, including
high density of air traffic, must also be taken into consideration.
The question of locating a nuclear reactor complex somewhere in Australia is one which
would require considerable political will, along with support from the local population.
The tour of the La Hague and Flamanville facilities was most gratefully arranged by AREVA.
In particular, Dr Selena Ng, Manager Asia-Pacific, Business Development, from AREVA's
office in Melbourne is thanked for arranging the tour of these sites. Further thanks must also
go to Mr Bertrand Castanet, Corporate Vice President, Business Development, AREVA, Paris
who acted as guide, translator and provided assistance above and beyond expectation.
RECOMMENDATION
Nuclear Policy
It was clear to me that a nuclear industry can exist side-by-side agricultural and environmental
industries. Normandy, where we visited, exports high-end foods around the world. It is not
affected by its high dependence on nuclear power and the processing of spent fuel rods.
South Australia's uranium deposits have the potential to transform our state economically. It
is clear that the demand for electricity in the region will continue to grow and South Australia
is well placed to take advantage of this.
45
Recommendation:
That South Australia continues to expand uranium mining and exploration in this State and
that we consider new ways of taking advantage of the increasing use of nuclear energy in the
Asian region.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Chavagnes International College
A visit was arranged to the Chavagnes International College located in the town of Chavagnes,
in central France.
The location of the Chavagnes International College is steeped in historical tradition and
significance. Since the thirteenth century, the land and buildings where the current buildings
are located have been associated with Roman Catholic monasticism and education.
The Chavagnes International College.
In the thirteenth century, the land was given to a community of Benedictine monks and a
monastery was built. In 1802 the first junior seminary after the French Revolution was
founded at Chavagnes, later receiving a royal charter as the Ecclesiastical School of
Chavagnes during the brief period of the restored monarchy.
The buildings of the schools were confiscated from the Church in 1905 as part of an
anti-clerical crackdown in France. As a consequence, the priests educating boys at the school
were exiled to Shaftesbury, Dorset in the United Kingdom. In 1912, the school was purchased
by a local aristocrat and reopened as a junior seminary.
In 1997, the school again closed and in 1999 the buildings housed fifty refugees from Kosovo.
In 2002, a group of English, American, Australian and Irish teachers, led by Mr Ferdi
McDermott with the support from the local Bishop reopened the school.
46
Jack Snelling with Ferdi McDermott (centre) staff and students at the Chavagnes International College.
The Chavagnes International College is a British Catholic boarding school for boys although
there are pupils from France, Spain and Ireland. A number of boys from the local area also
attend the school. Although the current student population is quite small, the school hopes
that growth will increase over time.
The visit to Chavagnes International College occurred during term break when many of the
students and teachers return to their home countries. However, a number of students along
with a few of the teachers remained for the term break. Brother John Moylen originally from
Adelaide is a member of the Pastoral Team at the school.
The Chapel at the Chavagnes International College.
The austere surroundings of the school appear to bring students from a variety of backgrounds
together to expand their personal growth and academic performance.
47
The school provides bilingual education in English and French, leading to the award of British
GCSEs and A-Levels and the option of the French National Brevet. Students also regularly sit
Cambridge University entrance exams.
Most students study four languages, English, Latin, French and Spanish, along with a standard
range of courses including mathematics, physics, science, chemistry, history, geography,
music, computing, choir and art. The school also provides a range of activities including
sports outside of class time. There is no expectation that students are fluent in French
although intensive tuition is provided.
The visit to the Chavagnes International College provided much to think about concerning the
role of education including non-secular boarding schools for boys.
Ferdi McDermott, staff and students at the Chavagnes International College are thanked for
their kind hospitality.
48
Prague, Czech Republic
Friday, 29 May 2009
Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic
A meeting was arranged with Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic at the Office of
the President located at Prague Castle.
Vaclav Klaus' involvement in Czech politics has occurred during a tumultuous period in the
nation's history – the collapse of communism, regional independence from the former Soviet
sphere of influence, the rise of free market economics and the formation of the Czech
Republic with the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
Waal/ Klaus, President of the Czech Republic.
Prior to entering politics Waal/ Klaus was an Economist and Economics Researcher initially
in academia and then for many years at the Czechoslovak State Bank (1971 to 1986) before
returning to academia at the Prognostic Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in 1987.
Vaclav Klaus became involved in politics soon after the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia
in November 1989, where the non-violent revolution saw the overthrow of the Communist
regime.
After entering the world of politics, Vaclav Klaus, retained involvement in academia and
continued to lecture and publish. In 1991 he was engaged as a lecturer at Charles University
in the field of Economics and in 1995 he was appointed Professor of Finance at the University
of Economics, Prague.
49
Vdclav Klaus has published over 20 books predominantly concerning economics and politics
and has been awarded a number of international prizes and honorary doctorates from
universities all over the world.
In December 1989, Vklav Klaus became Federal Minister of Finance of the Czech and
Slovak Federal Republic until 1992. In mid 1992, Vklav Klaus was appointed Prime
Minister of the Czech Republic and soon a key figure involved in the so-called "Velvet
Divorce" which resulted in the dissolution of the Czechoslovak Federation and the formation
of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in December 1992.
With the formation of an independent Czech Republic Vklav Klaus retained the position of
Prime Minister until December 1997 after tendering his resignation due to collapse of the
governing coalition. Following the 1998 General Election Vklav Klaus became Chairman of
the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic from July 1998 until June 2002. In February
2003 Vklav Klaus was elected President of the Czech Republic by the Parliament and in 2008
was re-elected to the position.
President Klaus spoke of his desire for the Czech Republic to retain its independence while a
member of the European Union. A well-known Eurosceptic, President Klaus been outspoken
in his opposition to sharing sovereignty with the European Union.
It is understandable a leader from a former Soviet Pact nation that was controlled by the
tyranny of communism would be opposed to the growing influence of the European Union
into the affairs of its member states. Considering his opposition to the Lisbon Treaty, it is
ironic that Vklav Klaus held the position of rotating President of the European Union during
the first half of 2009.
Unlike Slovakia who adopted the Euro on 1 January 2009, it is possible the Czech Republic
will continue to retain the Czech koruna for the foreseeable future.
Vklav Klaus also spoke about his well known support for the free market economy
diametrically opposite to that imposed under the Czech Republic's period of communist rule.
Vklav Klaus is outspoken on the central controls of the European Union and the economic
controls placed upon member states.
Vklav Klaus further spoke about the strengths of the Czech economy as one of the most
prosperous of the former communist Eastern bloc states. Vklav Klaus identifies the future of
his country to be dependent on a strong growing economy where the free market determines
the route taken.
Vklav Klaus also spoke about his connections to South Australia due to his association with
the University of Adelaide. In 2001 Vklav Klaus was appointed Adjunct Professor to the
University of Adelaide's School of Economics. Vklav Klaus spoke of his keen wish to visit
Adelaide again soon.
Vklav Klaus gives every indication of being a man determined to secure a successful future
for the Czech Republic and its people.
50
Materials Collected from Study Tour
Westminster
The House of Commons: A Brief Guide. Brochure.
House of Commons: The Scrutiny Unit, A guide to its work. Brochure.
House of Commons: The UK Parliamentary System. Booklet.
House of Commons: The Committee System in the House of Commons. Booklet.
The Speaker: Factsheet M2 Members Series. Booklet.
Financial Scrutiny Uncovered: How the Government manages its finances and how Parliament
scrutinises them. Booklet.
Thirtieth report of the House of Commons Commission Financial Year 2007/08. Booklet.
House of Commons Members Estimate Committee: Revised Green Book and audit of
Member's allowances, First Report of Session 2008-09.
Running Sheet for business of the House of Commons.
House of Commons: This Week's Business 18 th – 22nd May 2009. Booklet.
House of Commons Weekly Information bulletin, Saturday 16 May 2009, Session 2008-09,
No. 18, Edition No. 1044.
House of Commons Official Report. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), Monday, 18 May
2009, Volume 492, No. 78.
House of Commons: Wednesday, 20 May 2009. Summary Agenda, Order of Business, Future
Business, Sitting in Westminster Hall.
The House of Lords: A Brief Guide. Brochure.
House of Lords: A Guide to Business. Booklet.
House of Lords Official Report. Monday, 18 May 2009, Volume 710, No. 77.
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament Business Bulletin No. 86/2009, Thursday, 21 May 2009.
Welcome to the Scottish Parliament. Brochure.
How the Scottish Parliament Works. Booklet.
The Work of Committees in the Scottish Parliament. Booklet
51
AREVA
The La Hague plant. Our mission: reprocessing nuclear fuel ready for recycling. Booklet.
Welcome to EDF Flamanville. Printed brochure.
24h sur le site, AREVA NC La Hague, DVD.
AREVA at a glance. Booklet.
AREVA l'essentiel. Booklet.
A Photographic Journey in La Hague. Hardcover book.
Photo attributions:
Page 3:
The Palace of Westminster. Photo from the UK Parliament. Located at www.parliament.uk .
Page 5:
South Australian Government advertisements.
Illustration from the Sun. Located at
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article758059.ece and
Illustration from The Daily Mail. Located at
http ://www.dailymail.co .uldnews/article-512077/Screw-working-Staines-Australiasadvertising-blitz-designed-lure-disgruntled-Britons-Down-Under.html.
Page 7
The Rt Hon Frank Field MP and Jack Snelling. Photo by Corey Harriss.
Page 12
Hon Michael Martin MP, House of Commons. Photo by the Guardian. Located at
www.guardian.co.uldpolitics/2009/may/21/micha.
Hon Michael Martin MP and Jack Snelling. Photo by Corey Harriss.
Page 14
Gordon Brown. Photo from the Guardian. Located at
http ://www.guard i an .c o .uk/po litic s/b lo g+pmqs .
Page 15
Sir Alan Haselhurst and Jack Snelling. Photo by Corey Harriss.
52
Page 19
The Scottish Parliament. Photos from the Scottish Parliament. Located at
www.scottish.parliament.uk and Corey Harriss.
Page 20 & 21
The Scottish Parliament. Photos from the Scottish Parliament. Located at
www.scottish.parliament.uk .
Page 28
The Debating Chamber, Scottish Parliament. Photo from the Scottish Parliament. Located at
www.scottish.parliament.uk .
Page 29
Alan Ferguson MSP. Photo from the Scottish Parliament. Located at
www.scottish.parliament.uk .
Page 30
The Debating Chamber, Scottish Parliament. Photo from the Scottish Parliament. Located at
www.scottish.parliament.uk .
Page 33
Nuclear Reactors in operation. Chart from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Located
at www.iaea.org .
Page 35
AREVA La Hague complex. Photo from Power Engineering International. Located at
pepei.pennnet.com/.../
Page 36
Cask of spent fuel rods. Photo from AREVA.
Cask of spent fuel rods in detail. Photo from AREVA.
http ://www.areva-nc . corniareva-nc/lib lo c al/do c s/downlo ad/U s ine%20 d e%201a%2 Oh ague/LHusine-la-hague-6-en.pdf.
Page 37
Spend fuel baskets in storage pond at La Hague. Photo from AREVA.
http://www.areva-nc.corn/areva-nc/liblocal/docs/download/Usine%20de%201a%20hague/LHusine-la-hague-6-en.pdf.
A control room at La Hague. Photo from AREVA.
Page 38
Vitrified and compacted waste in storage canisters. Photo from AREVA.
www. areva-nc. com/.../show . asp ?P=7648&L=EN.
Shown empty canister for nuclear waste materials. Photo from AREVA.
53
Storage Hall at La Hague. Photo from AREVA. Located at
www.poweimag.com/nuclear/How-to-solve-the-use....
Page 39
AREVA La Hague plant. Photo from AREVA.
Page 40
AREVA La Hague plant. Photo from AREVA.
Page 42
EDF Flamanville complex. Located at aphgcaen.free.fechronique/407/aphg407b.doc.
Page 43
Flamanville 3 under construction. Photo from the Autorite de Silrete Nucleaire. Located at
www.asn.fr/french-nuclear-safety-authority/su....
Flamanville 3 under construction. Photo from L'Express. Located at
www.lex • ress.fr/actualite/sciences/ • our- seen....
Page 44
Flamanville 3, an artist impression of the completed project. Photo from EDF. Located at
www.arxam.com/tpe-la-generation-III.html.
Page 46
Chavagnes International College. Photos by Corey Harriss.
Page 47
Chavagnes International College. Photos by Corey Harriss.
Page 49
Vaclav Klaus. Photo from EU Digest. Located at http://wwvv.eudigest.com/archive/2009_05 Ol_archive.html.
54
This is a true and accurate report of my visit to United Kingdom, Scotland, France and Czech
Republic from 18 May — 2 June 2009 for the purpose of Members of Parliament Travel
Entitlement Rules 1983 as amended on the 2 September 1998.
Hon J J Snelling MP
Speaker of the House of Assembly
Member for Playford
STUDY TOUR REPORT
SPEAKER
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
55