Messages In This Thread

**Amerion** · 03-27-2019, 02:20 AM

MAJOR EVENTS

Suspension of Regional Officer powers for Concrete Slab

On the 26^th of March, the Cabinet determined that Concrete Slab exhibited behaviour deemed unbecoming of a representative of The South Pacific as per Article 4, Section 3 of the Regional Officers Act. This decision was reached with the agreement of the remaining Local Council and follows two criminal convictions for corruption. Delegate Seraph was ordered to revoke Regional Officer powers for Concrete Slab for the remainder of their term on the Local Council.

The full Cabinet statement can be viewed here.

ASSEMBLY AFFAIRS

Proposal to amend Article 1 Section 2 of the Criminal Code

Tsunamy has proposed an amendment to Article 1, Section 2 of the Criminal Code.

The amendment expands the definition of identity fraud to include fraud relating to the electoral process and campaigns.

Click to view the text of the bill

Discussion on Assembly Reorganisaion continues

In an effort to simplify the Assembly's archives, the body under the direction of Chair Bzerneleg, continues to discuss potential methods of categorising and organising the various matters dealt with in the Assembly.

Chair delivers inaugural Weekly Address

In his first official address to the Assembly, Chair Bzerneleg articulated a vision for the Assembly which largely centred upon transparency. On that note, the Chair highlighted the venue of his address — the newly established Press Gallery — as well as an upcoming Assembly calendar as examples of the Assembly Administration Team's work.

Click to view

My fellow Legislators,

Today, it is my utmost honour to give you my first official weekly address as Chair of the Assembly.

Since day 1, we have continued to work hard in order to execute necessary reforms to this legislature. The accomplishments that this administration has achieved until now will not be possible without the help and guidance of my wonderful Deputy Chairs: Rebeltopia, Islands of Unity, and Kurnugia.

Together, we have been able to successfully execute the duties reposed in the office of the Chair and bring fresh changes and new initiatives to the Assembly.

Using the Chair's power to declare bills defunct[1] for the first time ever, we broke the legislative gridlock to help bring the first two proposals to be voted on this month, both of which are, in one way or another, regarding the Assembly.

Also, for the first time, I will addressing you in my State of the Assembly speech in two weeks, something that no other Chair had done in the past. It is, of course, an ambitious move but one that I am willing to take.

We are currently taking steps to increase transparency in the Assembly and making it easier for Legislators and our citizens to keep track of what is happening in this legislature. By the establishment of the Assembly Press Gallery, which is where I am making my speech right now, and possibly, the Assembly Calendar, it has never been easier for us to access the Assembly.

No matter how much we have achieved so far, there is still so much more to do and even more that we can achieve together. I hope that you are all ready for this one hell of a roller coaster ride. There may be challenges that, from time to time, will stand in our way, but we will remain united, we will aim high, we will maintain hope, and we will succeed.

We have a long way to go and on behalf of this administration, I am making a pledge that we do our best every single day to bring this Assembly to heights we never previously thought that we would be able to go to.

Thank you and have a good day.

CABINET MATTERS

by Seraph

Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks Deputy applicants

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held open applications for two Deputy positions, with applications officially closing on 23^rd of March. The job postings are for a Deputy of Diplomatic Affairs and a Deputy of Interregional Affairs. Applicants were encouraged to write to the Minister with an explanation of why they think they would be suitable for the role. There have been no official announcements about the appointments since the deadline passed.

Cabinet to announce Judicial Nominees

The Prime Minister announced midweek that the Assembly would soon be receiving two nominations for the position of Associate Justice from the Cabinet, which the legislature would then be able to debate and vote upon. The successful nominee(s) would then fill the gap in the judiciary left by the departure of Justice Sandaoguo.

South Pacific Special Forces Weekly Report

SPSF members involved: Nakari, Roavin, Bzerneleg, and Warrior
Friendly forces worked with: The Order of the Grey Wardens, DKA, The Rejected Realms, The Kingdom of Great Britain, Peoples Revolutionary Armed Forces, The Red Fleet, The MT Army, Lazarus, New Pacific Order, Korean Peoples Army, and The Empire of Mare Nostrum.

Liberations:
The Red States

Piles:
The Red States

Defences:
Just Me, The Archipelago of Gallbaur, Star Trek United Federation of Planets, and The Arcane Alliance

Detags: Cog Nation, Somewhere or Other, United States of America Ferst 2, The Region of Harkmarkistan and Friends, Fornsigtuna, Empire of Parsua, Northe Hampshire Forrest, Kanjiklub, Assemblage of Independent Societies, Great Pugonia, Texan First Army, PC World, Green is for Freedom, Hooplans, The Leauge of Autistic Countries, Mongolian Princes, Coalition of the Willing, Coalition of Beans, The Kingdom of Woven Stars, The Allied Mynal Sectors, Sea Slavs, The United Sovereign States of Ecuador, Lossely Coordinated Nations, and The Rogue Nations Alliance.

The full Weekly Report can be viewed here.

HIGH COURT PROCEEDINGS

by Beepee

[CC] [1901] Ruling handed down in New Haudenosaunee Confederacy v. Concrete Slab

On 22 March 2019, the Court issued its decision on the case of New Haudenosaunee Confederacy (NHC) v Concrete Slab (CS)

NHC had accused Local Councillor CS of corruption and after a tense courtroom battle, which centred around the suppression of posts in the Regional Message Board.

NHC claimed that CS had suppressed his posts not on the basis of the moderation policy but on the grounds of personality conflicts.

Evidence from the other Local Councillors raised questions as to the actions of Concrete Slab and his interpretation of the Rules and Etiquette policy.

Associate Justice Belschaft said, in delivering his verdict, "the evidence presented by the Plaintiff and others makes clear that the Defendant has abused their office for personal advantage".

Finding the Local Councillor guilty of corruption, the Court noted that this was the second time CS has been found guilty of corruption and barred CS from holding public office for a period of eight months, beginning on 1 April 2019.

The case thread can be viewed here and the full opinion is available here.

[LQ] [1913] Legality of Plea Bargains

Beepee has approached the Court as to ascertain whether or not plea bargains are legal and whether the Court can rule on plea bargains.

In their Amicus Brief, Nat has argued that the acceptance of plea bargains would be contrary to law and would be a process violation of the court.

Amicus briefs are being accepted until 27 March on the matter.

The case thread can be viewed here.

Appeal regarding the Case of Nakari v Concrete Slab and North Prairie

Beepee has also approached the Court to have the case of Nakari v Concrete Slab and North Prarie dismissed on the grounds of judicial misconduct and process violations.

Beepee has argued that in the case, the court has erred from the letter of the law.

The court has yet to determine whether the appeal can proceed.

The case thread can be viewed here.

CITIZENS' REMARKS

No remarks were submitted this week.

Citizens' Remarks is a portion of the Coco Weekly allocated as a public space for Citizens or Legislators to post notices which they would like to make the region aware of. This can range from a Roleplay event to a personal statement regarding a regional happening.

To request a post in the Citizens' Remarks in the upcoming Coco Weekly, please follow the guidance provided in this thread.

© Lama Glama Publishing Group, Ministry of Regional Affairs, Coalition of the South Pacific. Published in NationStates by the Lama Glama Publishing Group, Level 18, 601 Beepee Building, Regional Affairs District, Fudgetopia Government Centre, the South Pacific. Available in your national library, from your delegated emissary from the South Pacific, or by direct-telegram from the [color=#E67E22]Lama Glama Publishing Group.

(This post was last modified: 03-27-2019, 03:55 AM by Amerion.)