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LGPG | Coco Weekly
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MAJOR EVENTSASSEMBLY AFFAIRSCABINET MATTERSHIGH COURT PROCEEDINGSCITIZENS' REMARKS
MAJOR EVENTS

Max Barry Day 2019

On the 18th of March, the Ministry of Regional Affairs hosted a celebration of Max Barry Day — the NationStates creator's birthday. The day is also a South Pacific Regional Holiday and the Ministry, under the direction of Minister of Regional Affairs @Beepee, organised a variety of events ranging from quizzes, mock pieces of legislation and readings of Max Barry's novels throughout the day and across all of the South Pacific's platforms (gameside, forum, and Discord).

TSP Design Competition

From the 4th to the 21st of March, the Ministry of Regional Affairs is running a design competition, with the region seeking a unified design language across its various government bodies. This includes a standard font and colour palette which can be used in posts by the Cabinet, Assembly, High Court, etcetera. These logos will be applied to all official posts and correspondences issued by their respective authorities. The logos will largely appeal to a domestic audience with regular updates from government bodies. They will also be used abroad in foreign embassies and in the NationStates Gameplay forum (NSGP).

ASSEMBLY AFFAIRS

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[A1903.01] Amendment to Article 1 of the Legislator Committee Act passed

An amendment to Article 1 of the Legislator Committee Act has passed. The final tally is 20 in favour, 5 in opposition, with 11 abstaining, for a total of 36 votes. The vote was passed with 80% voting in favour, exceeding the requirement for a three-fifths supermajority of those voting with the exclusion of abstentions.

The amendment, proposed by @USoVietnam, removed the requirement of reconfirmation votes for sitting members of the Legislator Committee. The Committee is a commission responsible for granting and revoking Legislator Status to Assembly members. It is a separate and independent institution and has no political function. The passage of this amendment brings the Committee in line with the High Court and the Council on Regional Security whose members serve lifelong terms.


[A1903.02] Amendment to Article 2 of the Legislative Procedure Act failed

An amendment to Article 2 of the Legislative Procedure Act has failed. The final tally is 14 in favour, 19 in opposition, with 7 abstaining, for a total of 40 votes. The vote failed with 42% voting in favour, failing to meet the requirement for a three-fifths supermajority of those voting with the exclusion of abstentions.

The amendment, proposed by @North Prarie, removed the requirement of a three-day consultation period in which corrections by the Chair to legislation are presented to the Assembly for feedback. Under Article 2 of the L.P.A., the Chair has the authority to 'correct typographical errors, grammatical errors, naming or formatting inconsistencies at any time, as long as these corrections do not alter the original intent of the law'.


Chair of the Assembly Bzerneleg requests feedback on the organisation of the Assembly

In the opening post of the discussion thread, Chair @Bzerneleg said:

While I believe that the Assembly forums is currently, I would say, in a good and acceptable state, there are weaknesses and loopholes in which I think need to be addressed. Those issues have lead to a pileup of threads in the Assembly forums and archives, without a concrete, long-term solution to deal with the pileups. One of the things I want to happen is for a Legislator to not be able to find the things they need as a result of poor organization. Aware of the fact that there are many experienced administrators in this Assembly, may I ask that Legislators contribute their ideas and experience to together form a reorganization plan, which will in turn create an organized Assembly.

CABINET MATTERS

Cabinet publishes internal discussions in compliance with Sunshine Act

The Sunshine Act provides that '[the] significant discussions of an institution shall, in due time, be released for public archival accessible to all members of the South Pacific.'

The Cabinet disclosed 7 threads from the October 2017 Term and 15 threads from the February 2018 Term with 1 remaining classified.

The Cabinet's Sunshine Act Release can be viewed here.

Cabinet appoints an Advisor and an Intern

The Cabinet has reappointed @Amerion as Cabinet Advisor and has also appointed its first ministry intern, @Divine Owl (Aidenfieeld), who will serve as an intern for the Ministry of Regional Affairs.

South Pacific Special Forces Weekly Report


The full Weekly Report can be viewed here.

HIGH COURT PROCEEDINGS

Court also publishes internal discussions in compliance with Sunshine Act

The High Court recently unclassified 71 discussion threads from within its private section, 2504 Lampshade Street. These threads feature private discussions ranging from 2014 to 2017, including case deliberations, policy discussions and other internal exchanges. The Court released the following statement on the publications:


The High Court's Report on Sunshine Act Compliance can be viewed here.

[CC] [1902] North Prarie enters a guilty plea for Contempt of Court

In a statement published in Court, @North Prarie submitted a plea agreement with the Court wherein he pleaded guilty to the offence of Contempt of Court.

The Court had previously found probable cause that @North Prarie and @Concrete Slab had engaged in Bribery and Contempt of Court.

Responding to a query by @Tsunamy on the Court's ability to offer plea agreements, Associate Justice @Belschaft noted:


The case thread can be viewed here.

[LQ] [1904] Ruling regarding Separation of Powers handed down

@Amerion sought clarification on whether a distinction exists between appointed deputies and Cabinet advisors and trainees/interns based on the wording in the Charter and the Elections Act, respectively.

In a Summary of the Opinion, the Court provided:


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

[LQ] [1908] High Court accepts a review of the Legality of Ejections for Conduct Violations

@Awe posed a question to the Court as to whether '... Article 2, Section 2 of the Criminal Code conflicts with Article III, Section 3 of the Charter, and if that Section of the Criminal Code should be deemed unconstitutional, should it be found to violate the right to due process.'

The Court resolved that the legal question posed was justiciable.

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

[LQ] [1909] High Court declines a review of the Local Council's Standard Moderation Policy

@New Haudenosaunee Confederacy sought a review of the Standard Moderation Policy and its application by a Local Councillor; 'I ask the court if this, specifically the bolded part, is actually a standard moderation policy, as it is not consistently enforced, as shown by this, a double post by Sword of Summer (although the second post was later deleted, it was originally suppressed), and this double post by Concrete Slab.'

The Court resolved that the legal question posed was not justiciable.

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

[CC] [1911] High Court declines to indict New Haudenosaunee Confederacy

@Volaworand submitted a criminal complaint against @New Haudenosaunee Confederacy (NHC), alleging that NHC had him by publically accusing him of 'telegram spam'.

The Court did not find probable cause that NHC may have committed Defamation.

The case thread can be viewed here and the full finding of probable cause is available here.

[LQ] [1912] High Court receives new Legal Question on Identity Theft and Concealed Identities

@Tsunamy has requested a clarification by the Court as to whether 'negative campaigning under an assumed identity would be considered "identity fraud"'?

The Court has received the question and is inviting interested third parties to 'explain the necessity of a ruling in this matter while the Court considers its justiciability.'

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 Lama Glama Publishing Group.
[-] The following 7 users Like Amerion's post:
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MAJOR EVENTSASSEMBLY AFFAIRSCABINET MATTERSHIGH COURT PROCEEDINGSCITIZENS' REMARKS
MAJOR EVENTS

Suspension of Regional Officer powers for Concrete Slab

On the 26th 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.


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.


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 23rd 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.
[-] The following 3 users Like Amerion's post:
  • Awe, Beepee, Seraph
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MAJOR EVENTSASSEMBLY AFFAIRSCABINET MATTERSHIGH COURT PROCEEDINGSCITIZENS' REMARKS
MAJOR EVENTS

No major events of note.

ASSEMBLY AFFAIRS

[CN1901] Vote on Rebeltopia's nomination to serve as Associate Justice of the High Court

The Cabinet nominated Rebeltopia to serve as Associate Justice on the High Court.

The vote can be viewed here. It will conclude on 11 April 2019, at 8 a.m. (UTC).

[CN1902] Vote on Awe's nomination to serve as Associate Justice of the High Court

The Cabinet nominated Awe to serve as Associate Justice on the High Court.

The vote can be viewed here. It will conclude on 11 April 2019, at 8 a.m. (UTC).

Proposal to amend Article VIII of the Charter

Nat has proposed an amendment to Article VIII of the Charter.

The amendment provides that the invalidation of a law by the High Court will only take effect fourteen days after the decision has been rendered.


Proposal to amend Articles 5 and 6 of the Judicial Act

Belschaft has proposed an amendment to Articles 5 and 6 of the Judicial Act.

The amendment removes sentencing as a separate phase of a criminal case and instead allows for sentencing to occur along with a guilty verdict.


Proposals to amend the Elections Act, Legislative Procedure Act, and the Criminal Code

North Prarie has proposed amendments to the Elections Act, Legislative Procedure Act, and the Criminal Code.

These amendments would prohibit the use of direct-messaging by an individual as a means of influencing a voter's preference.


CABINET MATTERS
BY SERAPH

Cabinet removes Regional Officer over conduct failings.

On Tuesday 26th March, the Cabinet ordered Erinor, the region's World Assembly Delegate, to remove Local Councillor Concrete Slab as a Regional Officer, ridding him of the power to suppress posts, start polls and alter the World Factbook Entry for the remainder of his term, which officially ended on the 31st March, as ordered by the High Court. This was done in accordance with Article 4, Section 3 of the Regional Officers Act on the basis that Concrete Slab had behaved in a manner unbecoming of an official of the South Pacific.

The full Cabinet statement can be viewed here.

New Deputy Ministers appointed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed to be deputies after the recent open application period. Former Chair of the Assembly Amerion will be the be Deputy Minister for Diplomatic Affairs and long-term Legislator and former Lazarene Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ryccia will be the Deputy Minister for Interregional Affairs.

The full Ministerial statement can be viewed here.

Two Associate Justice Nominees named.

The Cabinet revealed last week that the two nominees to replace Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Associate Justice Sandaoguo on the High Court are none other than former Chair of the Assembly Awe and Deputy Chair Rebeltopia. The Assembly is currently voting on their confirmation.

MoMA announces Tidal Force.

The Ministry of Military Affairs unveiled their new reserve army, the SPSF Tidal Force, for players who want to help the SPSF, but cannot easily participate in updates. Tidal Force members will flood into targeted regions throughout the day to fulfil various objectives, with no need for the player to be present at an update.

Further information on the Tidal Force can be found here.

Design Competition Winner Announced.

The long-awaited winner of the regional design competition has been revealed to be Somyrion/Aumeltopia, after poll in which Somyrion's designs had a clear lead over the other entries. Somyrion will now continue to work on his unified design proposal, which will most likely make its first appearance in the upcoming Regional dispatch system.

South Pacific Special Forces Weekly Report

SPSF members involved: Nakari, Roavin, Bzerneleg, and Kurnugia
Friendly forces worked with: The Order of the Grey Wardens, Lily, and ANTIFA

Piles:
The Red States.

Sieges:
The Kingdom of Austria

Tags:
Rotisserie chicken, Shrekoslovakia, USSER Reform, New Communist International, WBWR, Anecdote, Warzone Eurasia, The Grand Holy Bar Stool of Mcstooley, Polls, Empire of Zapline, International Alliance of Dictatorships, Spanje, Arabian Europe, Star Trek United Federation of Planets, Terra Cognita, The Grand League, Allenism, The Mid Pacific, united soviet republics of keystone, americano, eurosphare, the holy meat kingdom, admondir, world of peace, illias, the olympic games, the dry earth, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, multiverse seeders, region of outcasts, land of psycho, the big blob, socialist bloc, the 501st legion, fork in an electrical socket, a chunk of land, the northern alliance, the leigon of theman mans, unitys alliance, the cedar oak, your mother, the conglomeracy congregation, corneria, karls kommunist kounty, and volksen.

The full Weekly Report can be viewed here.

HIGH COURT PROCEEDINGS
by Beepee

No new cases of note.

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 Lama Glama Publishing Group.
[-] The following 3 users Like Amerion's post:
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