| [IC] The Qaz Lower Chamber |
Prime Minister's Questions, 1 September 2021
Speaker: Order, order! Welcome back, colleagues, to our first Prime Minister's Questions of the new year! I have just a few pressing things to state to the chamber this afternoon. Firstly, we are all aware of the result of the World Forum Membership Referendum, I think it's fair to say very few people, if anyone, was expecting that result, so now the Government and the Incompetent Democrats will be wondering what comes next and I intend to give each of these plenty of time to ask questions on this and what happens next. Secondly, the Incompetent Democrats were hit the hardest by our Summer Break as it interrupted their business for the year so I will be prioritising Incompetent Democratic questions today to allow them to see where their business sits with the Government and what can be done before we head into the final term of the year, which goes on Advanced Humanitarian business. Thirdly, the Dirty City By-election continues to progress and preparation for the election continues, I will allow the Prime Minister time to speak on that. Fourthly, Vice-Prime Minister Barrett is doing well but not yet decided what date she's returning to Parliament as Prime Minister but I am expecting a decision shortly so as soon as there is one we'll update you. Fifthly, the Higher Chamber reopened today, they will be a term behind us with their business and will take a closer look at our business and arrive at decisions. Lastly, we have the State Opening of Parliament on Monday with President Elliott and Vice-President Appleton. Any business we are covering today and tomorrow is just tying up the loose ends we didn't tie up before the Summer Break. Now, I call, for question number one, Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Dr. Speaker, question number one. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. It's a pleasure to be back, to get my administration going again, I think now, as I did prior to the Summer, that my time in Office is short, now is the time to act. Government: Yeah! Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, this morning I was in Dirty City helping prepare for the By-election, I will return there later today. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. First of all, I thank the Government and the Prime Minister for continuing to facilitate our business and show us favour, it is much appreciated. Incompetent Democrats: Yeah! Stephen Spencer: Dr. Speaker, the public voted against joining the World Forum so I must ask the Prime Minister, what's next? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I was hoping the right honourable gentleman would tell me what's next. He knows we're facilitating him so whatever he says next, we'll follow up. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. it is now the position of the Incompetent Democratic Party to propose a World Forum Observance Referendum. Would the Prime Minister be willing to facilitate that Referendum and see it through? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The Government is very happy to facilitate the new proposed Referendum. We will keep in touch with him via our Minister of WF Affairs and schedule that in due course. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Apart from the World Forum business, Dr. Speaker, we must look to our other business which now hasn't got very much time to be considered. This term, Dr. Speaker, the Incompetent Democrats support a tax fall against the Health Service. When can we expect to see the Government approve this? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The Government is neither for or against World Forum affairs and so we are always happy to side with the right honourable gentleman and his Party on this area, however, we cannot side with them on everything. The right honourable gentleman can't expect to see the Government approve a tax fall against the Health Service because it's not going to happen. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. We also support this term, heightening the price of childcare in the country. When can we expect the Government to approve expensive childcare? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Much like the previous question, Dr. Speaker, the right honourable gentleman can't expect the Government to approve expensive childcare because it's not going to happen. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Our final piece of business for the term is aiming to convert 20% of our energy sources renewable by 2030. Can the Prime Minister promise us this will be achieved? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I can promise the right honourable gentleman that 20% is where we are already, we are aiming for 80% by 2030. Speaker: Order! I now come to the Prime Minister's update on the Dirty City By-election. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I was in Dirty City earlier today helping to prepare. The campaigning period ended last night and the election takes place on 1 October with results being announced on the evening of 3 October. Our job now is to prepare voting cards, polling stations, double check the voting register and ensure candidates obey the rules and do not continue to campaign now that campaigning is over. Speaker: I thank the Prime Minister for the update. Order! Before we wrap up this session, I must just remind MPs we will meet in here shortly before the State Opening of Parliament on Monday and I will walk you through what my powers are and what the Lord Speaker's powers are over you during that session. The President and Vice-President will be present and speaking, let's be on our best behaviour, please. Order!
Lower Chamber Preparation for State Opening of Parliament, 6 September 2021
Speaker: Orderrrr! Order! Good afternoon, everyone! It is good to see you all, albeit a strange occurrence for us to meet on a Monday. Today, as you all know, is the State Opening of Parliament. Our President and Vice-President will address us and the Higher Chamber as he officially opens Parliament for another year of business. Friends, there is just a bit of housekeeping to deal with before we make our way up to the Higher Chamber. First of all, we can get very loud and passionate during our debates, sometimes, even, we can get loud in agreeing with speeches. I ask you all, please, to be courteous to the President and Vice-President, don't make any noise during the speeches. Secondly, and this really should have been firstly, as the President and Vice-President are the Head and Deputy Head of State, as they enter and take their places, we clap. Thirdly, we are entering the Higher Chamber. We only go there once per year. They have five hundred Seats in there, two of which are vacant, no-one from this Chamber will be filling them. They have no extra seats up there for us, we will be standing throughout. Fourthly, speaking rights. Once we are in the Higher Chamber, we are in the jurisdiction of Lady Speaker Danica Esparza. She is the Speaker of the Higher Chamber. However, friends, we met on Saturday to discuss the arrangements for today and we agreed that should one of my MPs be interrupting or mis-behaving or there be any sort of issue with one or more of my MPs, I shall have the right to interrupt the President or Vice-President or the Lady Speaker herself. Otherwise, the only person with the power to interrupt the President and/or Vice-President is the Lady Speaker as the Higher Chamber is the direct jurisdiction of the President and the Vice-President. Lastly, before we head up, if you need the toilet, go now, I suspend the chamber for 3 minutes for that purpose and if you are not back in here in 3 minutes, you will be left behind. Go now. Order! (After 3 minutes) Orderrr! Let's now head on up to the Higher Chamber, I will lead you, with the Deputy Speaker by my side, we will walk in twos and please do follow us out and up to the Higher Chamber. Order!
Prime Minister's Questions, 6 October 2021
Speaker: Order, order! We now proceed with Prime Minister's Questions! Colleagues, just some housekeeping before we start. We have now begun our final planned Parliamentary Business term of the year. This term focuses on the business of the Advanced Humanitarian League's business. I welcome to Parliament, for the first time, for their first Prime Minister's Questions, the honourable lady for Dirty City, Monika Bolton, of the Action Party. I apologise to the Action Party that their business won't be considered before the end of 2021 but I am advised the Government will fit you in before this Parliament steps aside. I also welcome back, for the first time since the end of May, the Prime Minister! Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Order, order! Order! Welcome back Prime Minister! Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Order! We wished you well and we're all delighted you've made it through and back to our Parliament as Prime Minister. Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Order, ORDER! You're getting louder by the minute! Today's session of Prime Minister's Questions, due to the amount of business we need to get through today, will be shorter than the rest of the year's Prime Minister's Questions, just simply because we would be scraping the barrel for both questions and answers. However, without further ado, I call on question number one from Harold Garcia! Harold Garcia: Question number one, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Prime Minister. Government: Yeah! Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, and thank you for the warm welcome back. Government: Yeah! Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, today I had meetings with the right honourable gentleman for Effin and other Local Councillors of the Advanced Humanitarian League. These meetings have been mostly fruitful so far and I will continue to have such meetings later today. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Last year, the Advanced Humanitarian League focused on corporal and capital punishment and pushed for the Government to side with us on our views on corporal and capital punishment and to ban them from our state. This year, we want to park this topic. Do we have the Prime Minister's reassurance that this work has been and will continue to be carried out and put into action? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, I am happy to reassure the right honourable gentleman that this work has been done, is being done and will continue to be done. The Government are, in no way, opposed to the banning of corporal and capital punishment in the country and so are only happy to facilitate the right honourable gentleman, his Party and their request. Speaker: Order, I ask the Prime Minister to be careful with her language, it is more than a request. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Focusing, now, on this year's work, we, as a Party, oppose hunting. Dr. Speaker, hunting affects the natural environment in that it throws off natural predation and population growth of wildlife. Hunting also disrupts migration and wintering of birds and hibernation of mammals. Dr. Speaker, what can the Prime Minister do to ensure hunting will be banned in our country? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, this topic is a little more tricky for the Government to oppose. First of all, we do understand the right honourable gentleman's point, hunting does damage the environment. Dr. Speaker, on a slight tangent, the Government, in the long term, has been aiming to have 80% of renewables used in the country by 2030 and it is a plan we hope future Governments will work into their manifestos also but part of this process will also include banning hunting. Dr. Speaker, the Government also realise, however, that many many Qans enjoy hunting as a pastime and also do enjoy obtaining their food sources via hunting so I think we'll allow a poor, unfortunate, future Government to deal with that, I'm afraid. I hate to say that, of course, but that is the educated conclusion I have arrived at which satisfies the most people possible, as Prime Minister of Qaweritoyu. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I am disappointed with the Prime Minister's response to the issue. Our Governments can't just keep avoiding the problem, no-one wants to do it, I get that, but I hoped the first Government to accept we had to do it would be this one, I was mistaken. Dr. Speaker, we also strongly oppose live animal research. Can the Prime Minister ensure live animal research will be banned? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I am torn on this issue, I must say to the chamber- Parliament: (Outrage). Speaker: Order, order! ORDER! Yes, I- Orderrrrrrr! I heard what the- Orderrrrrrr! Order! Orderrrrr! I heard what the Prime Minister said. Order! I heard what the Prime Minister said but I couldn't hear the rest because Parliament were shouting her down. Parliament: (Annoyed) Speaker: Order! You cannot possibly know in what context the Prime Minister is saying this without hearing the rest of what she has to say. Order! The Prime Minister! Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, I am torn on this issue because we know that a certain amount of scientists' work in testing our medicines, what might be harmful to us or not, keeping us safe, generally, Dr. Speaker, depends on live rat testing. Parliament: (Outrage) Speaker: Orderrrrrrrrr! Orderrrrrrrrr! Let's not have- Order! Orderrrrrrrrrrrr! ORDER! Let's not have this again, the Prime Minister has not- Order! Resume your seat, Ms. Little, I am speaking now and on my feet and the chamber knows very well at this stage that when the Speaker is on their feet, others are not. I repeat the point to the chamber that the Prime Minister has not finished and so we don't know the context in which she makes her statements. Lee Navarrete: Point of Order! Speaker: Point of Order, Lee Navarrete. Lee Navarrete: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. As a former Cabinet Minister, Dr. Speaker, I know how this Government works, however, Dr. Speaker, I must ask is it not the place for the Speaker to correct MPs of this chamber, including the Prime Minister, when the law has been broken? Speaker: Order! I thank the honourable gentleman for his Point of Order. First of all, I do acknowledge you are a valid former Cabinet Minister previously appointed by the Prime Minister. Secondly, I do acknowledge that a period of time working with this Prime Minister and this Government would give you insight into the system. Thirdly, I must remind the honourable gentleman, and others in this chamber, that guarding the Constitution and laws of this country is not down to me, the Constitution is down to His Excellency, the President of Qaweritoyu, laws are down to the QPS and J88. Fourthly, I must remind the honourable gentleman and others in this chamber that the Prime Minister was not finished and so we cannot guess the context ahead of time. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, as previously stated, science in this country does depend on live rat research to keep us safe, however, the Government does acknowledge that testing on live animals is immoral, liken it to a human, if you will. Speaker: Order! I think it would benefit all to listen, what the Prime Minister is saying is darker than anything I have ever heard a Prime Minister say but it might help to listen to her. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, it's like I've never been away! Let's say you were testing medicines and gases and other things on a human without their consent- Josh Schultz: Point of Order! Speaker: Point of Order, Josh Schultz. Josh Schultz: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Vaccines are tested on humans, are they not? Speaker: That is not a Point of Order, it is a Point of Debate. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker. If humans were tested without their consent, we'd be an extremely backwards nation, animals have the right to security and safety but if we outlaw live rat research, science would have to take their time in finding a replacement and the knock-on effect of this could be detrimental, it could see deaths rising in the country, sickness rising, hospitals packed, just something to take into consideration, the topic is not as straight-forward as it first seems. I apologise to the right honourable gentleman that the answer to his question took so long, there was nothing I could have done to speed up that process. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. On the subject of animal rights, will the Prime Minister force the entire nation to become vegetarian? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I've never heard something so ridiculous in my life. The right honourable gentleman wants to uphold animal rights at the expense of human rights, specifically, the human right to freedom, freedom to eat what they like, I'm sorry to tell the right honourable gentleman that's not going to happen. Speaker: Tyrone Ramos. Tyrone Ramos: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. How much of the right honourable gentleman's Party Business does the Prime Minister realistically think will be achieved? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, corporal and capital punishment is already outlawed and will continue to be so, we can't and won't force the nation to become vegetarians, so we need to properly consider hunting and live animal research this term so, I suppose, Dr. Speaker, to answer the honourable gentleman's question, half of the proposed work is realistic. Speaker: Henrietta Jefferson. Opposition: Yeah! Henrietta Jefferson: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Would there be any damaging taxes imposed on hunting rifles or the like to make this term's work easier? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, there will be no taxes imposed throughout the process, if we end up banning hunting, then hunting rifles are automatically banned, also. Speaker: Order! Can I just prompt, now, the Prime Minister to speak about the plan for releasing 2022's schedule as regards to business? Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I'd be delighted to. Let's start with the easy part. The H Summits Major are ongoing, courtesy of my predecessor, the right honourable gentleman, the Minister for Economic Development, Enterprise, Telecommunications and the Rainy Day Fund, I continue to attend them along with yourself, Dr. Speaker, they are ongoing. Dr. Speaker, the Minister for Economic Development, Enterprise, Telecommunications and the Rainy Day Fund and I, when he was Prime Minister and I was Vice-Prime Minister, met to discuss next year's business and, although events in exactly a year from now are a bit unsure, we decided we could set down a plan and adapt as we get closer. Dr. Speaker, the Government also have to take into account that a new Party, the Action Party, has joined Parliament and we warmly welcome them. Parliament: Yeah! Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, we have decided to devote January and February 2022 to Government business, namely, to the integration of all schools into secular schools, to focus on manufacturing insofar as public investment, preventing the export of jobs and capital and expanding fair trade. We will also focus on restoring public ownership to the following sectors, electricity, gas, coal, water, railway, coal pollution mitigation, tidal, solar and offshore wind power. Dr. Speaker, we will then devote March and April 2022 to Opposition business, namely, to abolishing home carer credit and the over 66s limit and raising rental tax credits to D600. Dr. Speaker, we will then devote May and June 2022 to Incompetent Democrat business, namely, to taxing frequent walkers, recruiting no new teachers and outlawing cannabis. Dr. Speaker, we will then devote July and August 2022 to Advanced Humanitarian League business, namely, to banning flogging and allowing vaccinations for pain, imprisoning for debt and outlawing corporal and capital punishment. This term will be interrupted by our Winter holidays. Dr. Speaker, we will then devote September and October 2022 to Action Party business, namely, to pragmatism, where they will back the Modern Marxist policy of public ownership of banking, pharmaceuticals and Armaneuts, they will then back the Tax Nobody policy of raising childminders' tax credits to D2,000, they will then back the Incompetent Democratic policy of expensive train fares, they will then back the Advanced Humanitarian policy of outlawing hunting, they will then focus on their own policies of welfare spending, meritocracy and multiracialism focusing on communitarianism. This term may be interrupted by the election and/or Parliament being dissolved ahead of the election. Speaker: I thank the Prime Minister for her speech. That now wraps up our Prime Minister's Questions for today. I welcome back the Prime Minister once again and congratulate her, she dealt with a lot on her first Prime Minister's Questions in about four months and I once again welcome the Action Party to Parliament. I now suspend the chamber until 2:19PM for lunch. Order!
Prime Minister's Questions, 27 October 2021
Speaker: Order, order! We now proceed to Prime Minister's Questions. I have put a bit of a spin on today's business, following our recent referendum, and in recognition of the fact this business is currently passing through the Higher Chamber, for the Prime Minister to speak briefly on the World Forum and work being done to ensure that moves forward and then we will continue forward with today's business in relation to the Advanced Humanitarian League. Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: I call on Stephen Spencer, question number 1. Stephen Spencer: Question number 1, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, this morning, I met with the right honourable gentleman, his Party and the right honourable gentleman, the Minister for WF Affairs, in relation to the recent referendum and moving forward. After my duties here, I will proceed to meetings with the right honourable gentleman, the Leader of the Advanced Humanitarian League and his Party regarding the attention their business is currently receiving and the best way to round off what has been a very fruitful and successful year. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. As a Party, we are obviously very disappointed with the result of the initial Referendum, however, we are delighted with the result of the follow-up Referendum, that we will be taking on Observer status with the World Forum. Dr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister pinpoint a timeline for applying to the World Forum for this status? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, it would be very wrong of me to assume the right honourable gentleman's shoes in this matter. Government: Yeah. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, I invite the right honourable gentleman, along with the right honourable gentleman, the Minister for WF Affairs, to keep talking with me and come up with a common agreement on the timeline as this is his project, after all, it's not mine. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I must ask the Prime Minister if this will happen before the end of this year? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. It is up to the right honourable gentleman if this will happen before the end of this year or not. Speaker: Stephen Spencer. Stephen Spencer: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Will the Prime Minister- Speaker: Order, order, I am just looking at the Order Paper here, your questions are very repetitive. For the sake of saving time, I now ask the Prime Minister to wrap up on this topic, summarising the work ahead for herself and the right honourable gentlemen mentioned. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I'd be delighted to summarise. The right honourable gentlemen mentioned and I need to meet and decide on our timeline for the work ahead and when we've decided on that, we need to reach out to the World Forum and begin the application process and, of course, the World Forum also has to approve us. Speaker: I am grateful to the Prime Minister for her summary. I now head in the direction of the Advanced Humanitarian League, Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I want to focus on hunting today and why we want to try and sway the Government in our favour. Dr. Speaker, hunting is very much a sport these days, our ancestors were not competing for a trophy to hang on the wall. They hunted what they needed to put food on the table. Modern hunting is now a sporting opportunity. Some hunters even pose with their kill without regard for what happens to the carcass. Hunting for the sake of doing so shows an overall lack of respect for nature. Dr. Speaker, ban hunting. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The right honourable gentleman is heard, however, hunting does control wildlife populations. Deer can cause a lot of damage in a short period. They are opportunist animals that can safely eat more than seven hundred different plant species. They are also adaptable, moving into communities and suburban areas to find cover, food and security. The amount of damage they can do on a single day and on a single property could total D7,000. Hunting is a way to maintain control of the local wildlife population. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I am disappointed with the Prime Minister's response. Her understanding of hunting, Dr. Speaker, could reduce wild animal populations. Several animal species have been hunted to endangered levels because some part of the creature was deemed to be valuable. Some species have been driven to extinction because of hunting. Dr. Speaker, ban hunting. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, once again, the right honourable gentleman is heard, however, hunting is an activity that can be carried out safely. Most communities require a hunter's education class before allowing a hunting licence or tag to be purchased. When all procedures are followed as they should be, the number of accidents that occur while hunting are greatly reduced. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Once again, I am disappointed with the Prime Minister's response. Hunting can lead to abusive practices. Speaker: Order, order! Can we have complete silence in the chamber, please, things are getting serious. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Some hunters resort to lures and feeding stations, especially when hunting deer, as a way to make it easier to fill their tags. Feeding deer adds a level of domestication to the animals and removes many of the benefits that are spoken of when discussing the joys of hunting. It would be like going out to the barn and shooting a cow to have beef, then declaring oneself a great hunter. Dr. Speaker, ban hunting. Speaker: Order! Order, I must insist the right honourable gentleman stops chanting 'ban hunting' at the end of every single statement. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, a former Prime Minister should know better, he can't force his way in this chamber anymore. Dr. Speaker, hunting is a way to improve personal exercise. Hunting requires individuals to hike into wooded areas, set up a stand, camp, or blind, and endure sometimes difficult conditions. It is a unique way to get personal exercise, especially since dietary options are limited while hunting. Speaker: Order! Let's not have the current Prime Minister and the former Prime Minister, who both sit in this Parliament, both elected MPs, facing off against each other. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Hunting may cause animals to suffer. A clean shot is essentially the same as what occurs at the slaughterhouse or butcher when preparing an animal for food. It is the injuries that hunters cause when they miss that can cause animals to suffer. Some injuries may even cause the animal to no longer be suitable for human consumption. Any injury can cause suffering. Dr. Speaker- Speaker: DON'T! Harold Garcia: Dr. Speaker, I wasn't going to. Dr. Speaker, should the animal continue living, that suffering could be prolonged for an unknown period. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Hunting offers a method of survival. For many people, hunting is the primary method of putting protein-rich foods onto the table. No part of the animal goes to waste in these cultures, turning the hide into clothing or blankets and antlers into useful tools. Hunting offers survival to those who may end up becoming lost, giving that individual a food resource they can use as they await survival. Speaker: I am travelling to the Opposition now, to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Leo Elliott. Opposition: Yeah! Deputy Leader of the Opposition: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Hunting may be cost prohibitive. Government: (Laughter) Speaker: Order, order! Orderrrr! I do understand the humour, for once, however, please do give the right honourable gentleman a chance to ask his question! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Deputy Leader of the Opposition: Dr. Speaker, hunters' safety classes are designed to promote better skills, knowledge, and awareness. They are not always affordable. The average cost per person to complete hunters' education is D20. There may be additional fees for each type of animal being hunted or what type of weapon is being used. Executive Branch: (Giggling). Speaker: Order! Grow up! Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Deputy Leader of the Opposition: Dr. Speaker, the cost of clothing, a firearm, or any other hunting weapon, such as a bow, must also be considered. That can push the cost of hunting beyond the budget of some households. Kelly Rhodes: Point of Order! Speaker: Prime- Point of Order, Kelly Rhodes. Kelly Rhodes: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I noticed during the right honourable gentleman's question that you told the Executive Branch to grow up. Dr. Speaker, you could hear the rubbish the right honourable gentleman was coming out with, would you not tell him to grow up? Speaker: Order! Orderrrrr! Opposition: (Outrage) Speaker: ORDERRRRRR! Order! Orderrrrrrr! Quiet, please. Orderrrr! I did say please, order! The right honourable gentleman had the floor at the time, his party has fought against these issues since they founded, in Parliament, they have done so the last year, they have as much right to be heard as you do- Order! Resume your seat, Ms. Rhodes. The Executive Branch were giggling at the right honourable gentleman, which is extremely childish behaviour, and if they continue to do so, I shall demand, once again, that they grow up. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Hunting increases hunters' knowledge about Mother Nature. To be a successful hunter, it is necessary to learn about the outdoors. You must be able to recognise animal trails and habits. You should know how to track animals in case one gets away from you. It is a chance to discover the outdoors in a way that cannot be experienced by watching TV or walking along a well-developed nature trail. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. If hunting becomes about sport and profit then more of the disadvantages of hunting tend to come out. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Hunting can reduce automotive accidents. Hunting helps reduce population levels, which may also be a factor in reducing overall accident levels. Speaker: Amy Cain. Opposition: Yeah! Amy Cain: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Hunting provides a source of revenue to our environmental programmes. Speaker: Order! That was shorter than I was expecting it to be. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. When this practice is managed wisely and the purpose is to guarantee survival, it is a task that can be highly beneficial. Speaker: Casey Sparks. Casey Sparks: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The average cost paid out by vehicle owners and insurance companies to cover the cost of damage to vehicles in these accidents exceeds D4 billion annually. I'm afraid I am siding with the right honourable gentleman in this regard to ban hunting. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The right honourable gentleman will be aware I have been testing him during these Questions, he knew I was going to do that, and I am delighted to see other colleagues jumping in on the argument. As I said before, Dr. Speaker, the Government has no direct policy on hunting, arguments presented here today have been very well made, they've been heard, I was taking notes and I shall meet with my Cabinet in the coming days and be able to inform the Chamber next Wednesday as to what decision we arrived at. Speaker: Order! We have arrived at the end of the Order Paper of what was a quite different but interesting Prime Minister's Questions. Colleagues, you will be well-aware that we have a Deputy Speaker election ongoing and that all candidates standing for election as a new and second Deputy Speaker are from the Modern Marxist Party so I just want to call on the Prime Minister now, as Party Leader, to say a few words on the topic and to bring us up to speed on what is going on in the election and then I have a statement to make to the Chamber. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. At the start of this election, the Modern Marxists were delighted to declare five candidates for election as the second Deputy Speaker of this Chamber, even if there is a small sadness in letting them go, as you will explain shortly, Dr. Speaker. I have been informed of three withdrawals from the election due to time commitments which I now inform the Chamber of. The honourable gentleman for Cloudtide, the honourable gentleman for Kernfaldihr and the honourable lady for Hollyhead. So, Dr. Speaker, our remaining candidates are the honourable lady for Capua and the honourable gentleman for Dhom Thurom. Speaker: Order! I thank the Prime Minister for her input. You may have noticed the Prime Minister implies sadness at losing Party members, that is because in recent months, the Speaker's Council have been meeting regarding the issue of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers taking on their new roles and remaining in their Parties. The majority seemed annoyed that this was the case, despite not raising this issue until now, so I made an executive decision as Speaker to require all Speakers and Deputy Speakers to resign from their Parties upon election. I now declare, on my part, I have resigned from the Modern Marxist Party in the last week, reducing the overall Party Majority from 235 Seats to 234 Seats. I am now independent until I step out of my role as Speaker and then I will have the freedom to rejoin a Party if I wish. I also call now, to put on the record the same resignation, the Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. In accordance with the requirement passed by you, Dr. Speaker, in the last week, I have also resigned from the Modern Marxist Party, reducing the overall Party Majority from 234 Seats to 233 Seats. I am now also independent until I step out of my role as Deputy Speaker and I will also have the freedom to rejoin a Party then if I wish. I wish the second Deputy Speaker candidates the best of luck. Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Order! I thank the Deputy Speaker for his words. I also put onto the record that the winning the Deputy Speaker will be required sometime after their election is announced, on the same day, to resign from the Modern Marxist Party, also becoming Independent and reducing the Government's overall Party Majority from 233 Seats to 232 Seats. Order! We have now reached the end of Prime Minister's Questions, I thank you for all your contributions for what has been an interesting session in Parliament. Order!
Prime Minister's Questions, 24 November 2021
Deputy Speaker: Order, order! Prime Minister's Questions! Orderrr! We have a lot to get through today, our Business is not, just for today, following the order on today's Order Paper. If it is possible for me to get back to the Order Paper, I will, but no promises. Order! Listen, please! We have an urgent question to start us off today, then we will have reactions and other questions which come up, I will also take Points of Order, then I will try and get back on track with the Order Paper. Our urgent topic is our alliance with Izaakia and the recent trouble with Eflad and Nicholas and Great Britain. To start us off, Wesley Bailey. Wesley Bailey: Number ten, Madam Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This morning, I spoke on the phone to Prime Minister Fircenza of Eflad, regarding the sanctions placed on Izaakia in recent days. I also spoke on the phone this morning to President Blanc of Izaakia. Madam Deputy Speaker, this afternoon, I will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and speak further with Prime Minister Fircenza and President Blanc. Deputy Speaker: Wesley Bailey. Wesley Bailey: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Prime Minister described sanctions as 'ridiculous' in the last two weeks. Many of my constituents thought that was a brave move. What exactly is ridiculous about them? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the honourable gentleman for his question. Obviously, Madam Deputy Speaker, the honourable gentleman does see what is ridiculous but I am sorry his constituents feel scared by what I said and I am happy to clarify, Madan Deputy Speaker, I referred to Eflad's sanctions on Izaakia as ridiculous because, as far as we are concerned, we have a long-time alliance with Izaakia, someone getting sanctioned because of good deeds, or even intended good, is ridiculous. Apart from backing Izaakia through thick and thin, no matter how reluctantly or eagerly we do it, we won't and don't just stand by and let the world tell us what is right and wrong, we decide what our Government will agree with and disagree with and we have decided that sanctions by Eflad, against Izaakia, are ridiculous and that if there was any good intention, sanctions would not have been imposed in the first place. Deputy Speaker: Loren Harrison. Loren Harrison: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Is there a likelihood now that Eflad will drop sanctions just to lick our arses? Deputy Speaker: Order! Order! Orderrrr! I could tell a mile away the honourable lady was going to say that! I must ask the honourable lady to withdraw that word. Loren Harrison. Loren Harrson: Madam Deputy Speaker, I am more than happy to withdraw that word, let's say lick bums. Deputy Speaker: No, sorry, ORDER! Order! Not that one either, I ask the honourable lady to also withdraw that word. Loren Harrison: I reluctantly withdraw, Madam Deputy Speaker. Is there- Deputy Speaker: Order! We're getting nowhere and we see the point the honourable lady is getting at, Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam- Loren Harrison: Point of Order! Deputy Speaker: Order, order! I apologise for interrupting the Prime Minister. Point of Order, Loren Harrison. Loren Harrison: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hadn't finished making my point. Deputy Speaker: Ms. Harrison, order. You are very lucky I asked the Prime Minister to answer the question! Parliament: (Laughter) Deputy Speaker: Order! ORDERRRRR! If the honourable lady doesn't want the question answered, I suggest she indicates so, if she does not, we'll move on. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Madam Deputy Speaker, there is no chance of Eflad listening to us, no chance in the slightest, there is a one hundred percent chance of being ignored. If we did not try, however, there would be questions at home and overseas as to why we said nothing. Deputy Speaker: Richard Blair. Richard Blair: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker: Order! Sit down, Ms. Harrison, the argument is over! Richard Blair. Richard Blair: Madam Deputy Speaker, If we're being ignored, what's the point in saying anything at all? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, the point is that Izaakia is listening, they're not ignoring us. Deputy Speaker: Gregg Weaver. Gregg Weaver: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What happens next? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The reality is that I don't know what comes next. If I knew, there would be no need to speak with them. Deputy Speaker: Shelly Griffin. Opposition: Yeah! Shelly Griffin: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. For once, the Government and Opposition are united, Madam Deputy Speaker. We disagree with any embargoes, anything which makes life more expensive. We have been allied with Izaakia for one hundred and thirty years this year, whilst being our own separate country, we feel for them as we feel for ourselves. Madam Deputy Speaker, will the Prime Minister finally demand that embargoes against Izaakia be dropped? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Madam Deputy Speaker, I am against both sanctions placed on Izaakia by Eflad, I will be demanding that both are removed. Deputy Speaker: Christina Rivera. Christina Rivera: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. During the last two weeks, the Izaakian Trade Minister has asked Eflad, I quote, 'when did Eflad start supporting human rights abuses?' Does the Prime Minister recognise that there are human rights abuses there and what is her opinion of them? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I won't got into too much detail here as I am very much aware these are Izaakia's affairs and not ours, however, we do recognise that human rights are infringed upon in all members of the Izaakian Government being declared persona non grata, these people have as much right to travel as anyone else and I think, as I said two weeks ago, that this is ridiculous. Deputy Speaker: Virginia Bass. Virginia Bass: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What is the Prime Minister's opinion of the recent Izaakian airforce assault on Nicholas and Great Britain? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I think it was justly provoked. Deputy Speaker: Casey Sparks. Casey Sparks: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I noticed that Izaakia purchased weapons from Ryccia. Were these purchases taxed? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I don't know how I'd know that and, as a Marxist, I really couldn't care less, Deputy Speaker: Johnny Alvarado. Johnny Alvarado: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What is the Prime Minister's position on the Frost Empire closing trade routes with Izaakia? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I think, as I did before, that our alliance with Izaakia is hurting us, not at the fault of Izaakia, of course, but at the fault of other countries, such as the Frost Empire, placing restrictions on Izaakia, we may end up discriminated against for our alliance, although, it is worth noting our alliance with Izaakia is not one of trade, it is a military alliance. Deputy Speaker: Order, order! I hope the Chamber will forgive me if we now divert away from this very passionate and worrying subject and get back to home affairs and our intended business for this session had the above not been happening at this time. I go to the Leader of the Advanced Humanitarian League for his first question. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Animal testing, meaning the use of animals in research for the purpose of furthering human concerns such as drug efficacy and the safety of products such as cosmetics - is an endeavor fraught with controversy and difficult ethical arguments. Some types of testing subject animals to cruel and inhumane procedures, offsetting, in the eyes of animal-testing, any benefits of animal testing to humans. Madam Deputy Speaker, any discussion of animal testing pros and cons must acknowledge that certain kinds of animal research involves subjecting creatures to what can aptly be described as torture. It is a common practice for animals' eyes to be held open with clips for hours, even days, in the course of testing cosmetics products. Madam Deputy Speaker, what will the Prime Minister do to ensure this shocking behaviour ceases? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Animal experimentation has clear and undeniable benefits to humankind; for example, the development of drugs to combat deadly diseases. Harold Garcia: That attitude is a disgrace! Deputy Speaker: ORDER! Orderrrr! Mr. Garcia, you have had your turn, now it is the Prime Minister's turn. If you don't want your time severely shortened, I suggest you sit down and keep your mouth shut until called. Parliament: Yeah! Deputy Speaker: The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The landscape of modern medicine would unquestionably be vastly different without animal testing in the mix. Harold Garcia: That's disgraceful! Deputy Speaker: Orderrrr! Mr. Garcia, I will not tell you again. As a former Prime Minister, you should know better. I am going to attempt to break the ice here, come on, let's try and work as a team here, even if slightly. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I disagree strongly with the Government's agenda. Madam Deputy Speaker, one of the leading arguments against animal testing is that it is simply a waste of scientific energy and resources, because the results of tests done on other species often cannot be reliably extrapolated to humans. Surely this is a basis for the Government to abolish live animal research? Deputy Speaker: Order! I will now call the Prime Minister to answer the right honourable gentleman on the condition he listens to the answer fully. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. With the advent of modern molecular biology and its analytical methods, scientists can now quantify the precise extent to which humans resemble other animals, genetically speaking. Chimpanzees and humans share 99% of their DNA, and even mice and humans have a 98% overlap in this area. All mammals have the same essential internal organs, and these all fall victim to the same general maladies, such as heart disease and various cancers. For these reasons, scientists can confidently apply the results of a panoply of medical experiments on animals to human beings and be more confident when it's time to experiment on humans directly in clinical trials. Deputy Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I had the great pleasure of listening fully to the Prime Minister that time. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Prime Minister stated on record that, I quote, 'Chimpanzees and humans share 99% of their DNA, and even mice and humans have a 98% overlap in this area.' Madam Deputy Speaker, the Prime Minister has just stated on record that humans and animals share DNA so surely the Prime Minister must acknowledge that to test animals is equally as bad as to test humans? Deputy Speaker: Order! Order. I hear a bit of chit-chat from the back benches. This is developing into a very serious issue and I'm sure your constituents would appreciate it if you listened. The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The right honourable gentleman is correct, I did say that. I can see the way the right honourable gentleman is thinking, Madam Deputy Speaker, however, I need to remind him that I had cancer. I have no doubts that my survival depended highly on medicines tested previously on live animals. Many more people like me are also survivors and standing where they are today as a result, so I am rethinking everything twice before I decide whether or not the Government stands with the right honourable gentleman. Deputy Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As technology moves forward, there is less and less need for animal experimentation. Human genes cloned into microorganisms can yield more specific toxicology results, for example, than simply administering toxins to animals. While much scientific research cannot be done without animals, commercial safety testing, such as by cosmetic companies, is increasingly being done without the use of animals. Meanwhile, improving the well-being of laboratory animals can do much to ease the suffering of animals used in research. Madam Deputy Speaker, it is time to abolish live animal testing. Does the Prime Minister agree? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As it is the last Wednesday of the month and next week is December, this means we move on to the final piece of business for this Parliamentary year and so the final piece of work from the Advanced Humanitarian League, so this is the final push for this business. With this in mind, and considering how well the right honourable gentleman has argued his points today, I have decided the Government will stand with him, Madam Deputy Speaker. To answer the right honourable gentleman, yes, I do agree, we are now in the 21st Century, not the 11th, his point is heard loud and clear. Madam Deputy Speaker, I second the motion to abolish live animal research in the Republic of Qaweritoyu. I would request, Madam Deputy Speaker, that you hold the topic as one of priority this evening and then vote on it at the adjournment of the chamber this evening. Deputy Speaker: Order! I thank the Prime Minister for her honesty and her second to the motion. I would be delighted to prioritise the topic later this evening and to vote on the motion at the adjournment of the chamber this evening. Order! I now conclude Prime Minister's Questions and suspend the chamber until 2:19PM for lunch. Order!
Parliamentary Adjournment, 24 November 2021
Deputy Speaker: Order! A motion and a second have been received for abolishing live animal research. Minister to move. Minister: I beg to move, Madam Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker: The question is that live animal research should be removed, all as are of that opinion, say aye. Majority: Aye. Deputy Speaker: On the contrary, no. Minority: No. Deputy Speaker: Division. I ask the clerk to calculate our results. (To the clerk) Sorry, I couldn't tell. Clerk: (To the Deputy Speaker) Unless you get a vast majority, you mostly won't be able to tell in here. Deputy Speaker: (To the chamber) Order! The clerk! Clerk: The ayes to the right, 197, the nos to the left, 103. Parliament: Yeah! Clerk: (Hands the paper to the Deputy Speaker). Deputy Speaker: (To the clerk) Thank you. (To the chamber) Orderrr! The ayes to the right, 197, the nos to the left, 103, so the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Unlock. Orderrrr! The question is that this chamber do now adjourn, all as are of that opinion, say aye. Majority: Aye. Deputy Speaker: On the contrary, no. Minority: No. Deputy Speaker: Division! I ask the clerk to calculate our results. (To the Clerk) Sorry again. Clerk: (To the Deputy Speaker) No worries. Deputy Speaker: Order! The clerk! Clerk: The ayes to the right, 175, the nos to the left, 125. (Hands the paper to the Deputy Speaker) Deputy Speaker: Orderrr! No-one should be packing up bags, we are not finished! We are still in session! Bags down and sit down please! The ayes to the right, 175, the nos to the left, 125, so the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Unlock. Order, order!
Prime Minister's Questions, 15 December 2021
Speaker: Order, order! Good afternoon, everyone, welcome back to Prime Minister's Questions. I'm back. We are now into the final week of our year. We are continuing to focus on the Advanced Humanitarian League and their business. We are a day away from our Summer Holidays, we will next meet, after 16 December, on 19 January 2022 and we will then begin to tear into our new year's business. In today's session, we are looking, once again, to Corporal and Capital Punishment. I am, as you are, fully aware this is already outlawed in this country, we are just going to have a few arguments for and against each today, some arguments on why they should remain illegal and some on why they should be legalised once again, Orderrrrr! Do not turn bitter! I call on the Leader of the Advanced Humanitarian League for Question number five. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Question number five, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, this morning, I had ministerial meetings with colleagues, to revise Government policies adopted in the past year and to remind ourselves, even if we know, why we adopted them and how they improve the quality of life in this country. I will have further such meetings later today. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Parliament: Yeah! Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I never thought Parliament would be delighted to hear from me. Dr. Speaker, I have actually left my notes behind me today- Speaker: Order, order. Normally, I would pick up honourable and right honourable and learnéd members who have come unprepared but given that Parliament have warmed to the right honourable gentleman, and he is the only member of his Party represented on these benches, I shall be delighted to give him any prompts he may need. Mr. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I'll get as far as I can off the top of my head. There can be no doubt, Dr. Speaker, that corporal punishment leave long-term effects on children subject to it, both physically and mentally. Children who receive physical punishment for their problematic behaviours are more likely to respond with aggression and have problems with attention compared to children who receive other forms of consequences. Kids who experience this type of discipline are also more likely to relate to various forms of violence involving power, which means they are more likely than the general population to become abusive later in life or display bullying behaviours. Dr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister confirm corporal punishment has a very damaging effect on children and ensure this will never be legal again? Speaker: Well done, without notes, that's remarkable. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, and I also applaud the right honourable gentleman on his memory. Dr. Speaker, that is, of course, undeniable and it is shocking to live in the knowledge that this happened in our country for so long. However, Dr. Speaker, corporal punishment can be useful when used in moderation. Speaker: Order, I just advise the Prime Minister, as a mother, to tread carefully on this issue. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Always, Dr. Speaker. Most of the concerns which are associated with the use of corporal punishment come from using it excessively. Taking toys away, or assigning a timeout spot, are not always valid with rambunctious children. Some kids prefer to push the limits of the adults around them to understand what structures are appropriate. Those are the children who typically respond in severe circumstances to a physical consequence that is appropriate- Speaker: Order, order, that's enough of that. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Kids to experience corporal punishment are more likely to hit other people as a method of circumstance to get their way. This increases the risk of physical abuse in the classroom, at home, and even in public situations. The use of corporal punishment will signal to a child that this is the best way to settle an interpersonal conflict, which is why they turn to this behaviour when they need something. Dr. Speaker, does the Prime Minister realise this and what will she do to ensure this does not continue to be practiced in this country? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I do realise this, indeed. Dr. Speaker, kids make better decisions about their actions and behaviours when they understand what the penalties for misbehaving happen to be. This process allows each child to exercise an enhanced level of self-control. Advantages like this occur when the child understands that there are specific boundaries which cannot be crossed in certain circumstances. Dr. Speaker, the effect of corporal punishment can prevent children from continuing on with their negative choices that may want to allow them to accept criminal behaviour that is something which is societally acceptable. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I think the Prime Minister half-answered the question. Dr. Speaker, research into corporal punishment shows that it has negative of fax, which is why it has been banned in military training and prisons in Qaweritoyu. Even animals are- Speaker: Order, order, the right honourable gentleman will resume his seat, let's not mix topics, please. Orderr! Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. When it occurs in schools- Speaker: Orderrr! Order! Show some manners please, Ms. Price, this is not a Modern Marxist debate! Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, when it occurs in schools, the students are- Speaker: Order, sit down! It does not occur in schools, that is long-banned. The right honourable gentleman is really testing my patience today. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: No further comment, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Grow up, will you? I am in the right mind to skip past the rest of your questions. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I also decline to speak on the topic. Speaker: Orderrr! Grow up, everyone, and move on, this is my first warning to the whole chamber. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The response of Qaweritoyu to the use of corporal punishment involves using it as a traditional means of disciplinary action instead of having a logical reason for it. Can the Prime Minister provide any logic for a re-introduction to the country? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I can provide no logic for re-introducing corporal punishment as a Qaz policy, the right honourable gentleman will be glad to know. Speaker: Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The most effective use of corporal punishment involves children who are in the preschool age range who have committed wilfull disobedience. Speaker: Order, order, I just advise the right honourable gentleman to be careful with his language. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Always. It should never be used when a child decides to commit a small act of defiance. Infants should- Speaker: Order! I know Summer is coming but can we remind ourselves not to lose our edges yet? Must, not should, must, because it is a law. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Infants must never receive a physical consequence because they do not have the capability to understand the difference between a right and wrong decision. Older children with strong communication abilities might experience a better outcome if they were given a chance to speak about their behaviours in a safe environment. Dr. Speaker, if corporal punishment is administered incorrectly, the likely outcome is that the- Speaker: Order! The right honourable gentleman is now on his second warning, he will be asked to leave the chamber following a third warning. Move on. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Dr. Speaker, The risks of resorting to this consequence in a moment of anger are what limit its overall effectiveness. Speaker: Order, order! The right honourable gentleman must decide whether he is for or against the motion! Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Come on! Harold Garcia! Harold Garcia: Dr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister promise corporal punishment will never be legalised again? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I can confirm that there are no Government plans at this time to legalise corporal punishment again. Dr. Speaker, kids don't realise that they're about to rush into a dangerous situation! Parliament: Yeah! Prime Minister: The behaviours that they display at school or at home may not seem like a poor decision to them. Corporal punishment, in whatever form it is applied, creates a shocking- Speaker: No, order! Resume your seat, Prime Minister. I cannot allow the Prime Minister to go on speaking like that when I will not allow other members to go on speaking like that. Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Order! the current law forbids corporal punishment so there is no if to it! Prime Minister! Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, although spanking may not change short-term behaviours- Speaker: Order! We are moving on. Harold Garcia. Harold Garcia: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Although there are advantages in the creation of a shock factor when trying to- Speaker: Order, that's it. I have made the position extremely clear and I have given the right honourable gentleman the chance to correct his language, he would not do so. I now order the right honourable gentleman to withdraw immediately from the chamber for the remainder of this day's sitting. Harold Garcia: Point of Order! Speaker: ORDER! You are suspended from the chamber until the start of the day's business tomorrow morning, we do not hear Points of Order from suspended members. If the right honourable gentleman refuses to leave the chamber, I will be forced to name him and then required to wait for chamber security to remove him from the chamber. The latter of those is extremely selfish and eats into everyone's time. I strongly recommend the right honourable gentleman take up the former instruction and leave the chamber. I am glad to see the right honourable gentleman complying, thank you. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank- Speaker: Order! Let the right honourable gentleman be an example to you, Prime Minister. Prime Minister! Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. One of the reasons why corporal punishment, what usually takes the form of spanking, feels like an abusive situation is because the physical consequences are only given. Parents, teachers and administrators must follow up with each child after the consequences to ensure they understand why it was given. The outcome only occurs when the consequence is provided in an environment which is loving and calm. Parliament: Yeah! Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, Most of the disadvantages that come with the use of corporal punishment are directly associated with its use when a parent or teacher are frustrated in the heat- Speaker: Order, order! Enough of that, moving on. I now want to travel around the house and hear a few projects people have in mind for the Summer Holidays and give them a chance to bring any questions they have before the Prime Minister today before we begin our holidays at the close of business tomorrow. I am looking at the Government first. Rudolph Stanley. Government: Yeah! Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. In my constituency this Summer, I will be moving onwards with the remnants of the Modern Marxist business covered this year, halting privatisation by way of investing in public services and building more council and sheltered housing. Dr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister assure my constituents that she will continue to support and fund this work? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for his question. I can confirm for him and his constituents, Dr. Speaker, that I will be continuing to support and fund this work throughout the Summer. Speaker: Theodore Steele. Theodore Steele: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. This Summer, I will be campaigning on the business the Government will be debating and discussing in the New Year. I will be raising awareness of the Government's upcoming topics. I will be working closely with Liberal Democrat Local Councillors in my constituency to work up a good rapport with them and campaigning, Dr. Speaker, on the following topics, the integration of all religious, private, trust and city academy schools into secular schools run locally by the Liberal Democrats, manufacturing, in particular, public investment, against the export of jobs and capital and expanding fair trade and on restoring public ownership to electricity, gas, coal, water, railways, coal pollution and mitigation, tidal, solar and offshore wind power. Dr. Speaker, the topic causing the most controversy in Nugrad is the integration of all schools into secular schools. What can the Prime Minister say to Nugrad to calm their nerves? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, and I thank my honourable friend for his question. Dr. Speaker, to reassure the constituents of Nugrad, I can say trust us, you elected us, we are doing what we promised to do. Dr. Speaker, they should not be nervous. All schools are not being integrated to scare people, they are being so to make our society fair and equal. All our students will get the same education, no matter which school they attend. Speaker: Someone else from the Government? Order! Genevieve May! Government: Yeah! Genevieve May: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. There are a lot of worried school Principals in my constituency. Dr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister clarify the timeline and deadline for the integration of schools? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, and I thank my honourable friend for her question. We will be debating this material in January and February, Dr. Speaker. Then the Higher Chamber will debate this material in March and April. This material will be concluded in Parliament by April so our deadline for the switchover is August 2022, in time for the new school year starting September 2022. Speaker: Katrina Sullivan. Katrina Sullivan: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Just picking up on what the Prime Minister said there, is that not a bit soon for schools to prepare for? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: No, Dr. Speaker, to answer my honourable friend, it's not short notice for schools at all. They are well aware now, Dr. Speaker, that these changes are coming and so preparations have, or should have, already begun. All that is happening in August is the end of the current status of schools and, obviously, any other lasting effects, such as subject changes, will be phased out until students in the school no long take them, all committed to taking such subjects may continue to do so and take their exams, just no new students will be offered them. Speaker: Traci Matthews. Opposition: Yeah! Traci Matthews: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. This Summer, I will continue to campaign on this year's Opposition business, on abolishing the Universal Social Charge, the Income Tax, the Standard Rate Band and EITC. Dr. Speaker, what can the Prime Minister do to reassure this work will be supported? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, I can do nothing to reassure the honourable lady's constituents that that work will be supported. Dr. Speaker, I trust I don't have to re-inform the honourable lady of the arguments and stress we had this year in these areas. She knows well, Dr. Speaker, that none of these will be abolished under this Government and she knows why as we have stated the reasons in this chamber many, many times this year. Governemnt: Yeah! Speaker: Order! Order. Kent- ORDER! Kent Scott! Kent Scott: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I must ask if the Prime Minister is expecting us to get re-elected in October 2022. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, we were elected to this chamber in December 2017 and again in June 2020. We are carrying out the terms of the manifesto we campaigned on. If the people are happy with that job and want more of it, they will re-elect us in October 2022. Speaker: Christie Bryan. Christie Bryan: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I suppose what I will ask is the same question my honourable friend intended to ask. Does the Prime Minister think re-election is on the cards with the topics in mind that her and the Government have decided to debate in 2022? Kent Smith: Yeah! Speaker: Order. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, I think I just answered that question, correct me if I'm wrong. These topics aren't secrets, they have always been on the manifesto and this manifesto has always been public, we got elected, this is what we are doing. One day, we will not hold the Majority in Parliament and when that day comes, the sitting Government will have every right to undo whatever they like. Speaker: Order! I am calling an end to today's Prime Minister's Questions. It was intense, we all need our well-deserved break after that. I did try to facilitate everyone but, as you do all know, to do that is just impossible here, please don't take exclusion personally. I now suspend the chamber for lunch until 2:19PM. Order!
Prime Minister's Questions, 19 January 2022
Speaker: Order, order! Welcome back! Happy New Year! Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Order! This is the first day back, the first session back. A lot has happened during the Summer. We begin a new year on a new Parliamentary Schedule approved by me. This year is a big year for Parliament. Due to the President's Executive Order, October 2022 is the new June 2025, this is the upcoming General Election brought forward and into new rules and regulations. Friends, this year's schedule is more diminished than previous years, rather than ending in December, we will likely end in September. I have approved a plan up to and including October but that is just to ensure we're covered if everything comes up. Friends, after the election in October, we will have a special sitting of Parliament in which the newly-elected Parliament take their Seats for the first time to initiate the election for Speaker. After this period, the new Speaker will then initiate elections for Deputy Speakers. If I am re-elected MP here, I will be the Speaker for this Sitting of Parliament and for the Sitting leading to the installation of the new Speaker. If I am not re-elected MP, these sessions will be run by one of my Deputy Speakers if they are re-elected MP. Failing that, the Clerk will run these Sittings. The Clerk has just swivelled around to me. The Clerk. Clerk: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Colleagues, it is important to realise that elections in this chamber are very bumpy occurrences and having a Speaker for them, even if not officially Speaker, is of great importance, we need someone experienced in the Chair, that is why the policy is so tight. Speaker: Order, I thank the Clerk for their clarification. Friends, I thank you for your support in the last two years, by the end of this year, I will no longer be your Speaker, merely a colleague. We begin this year with the Government's Business, I now go to Jeannie Wright for question number one, Jeannie Wright. Jeannie Wright: Number one, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Via video link, we continue to wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery. Parliament: Yeah! Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Your well wishes are much-appreciated. I wish the chamber a happy New Year. This morning I was part of Ministerial meetings virtually, I will continue such meetings later today. Speaker: Jeannie Wright. Jeannie Wright: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. This term, the Government will be, I understand I am speaking before them, integrating the vast majority of schools in our country into secular schools. Can the Prime Minister tell the chamber how much this will cost to carry out and what taxes people will be faced with when preparing for the new school year starting in September of this year? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I thank the honourable lady for her question. She is right, Dr. Speaker, she is, very unusually, the first to speak on our business this year, it would usually be one of us. Dr. Speaker, we will not be disclosing the cost to the chamber as that is not the focus of the project and it will not cost people taxes for reasons we have explained in the past, many, many times. Speaker: Wayne Cortez. Government: Yeah! Wayne Cortez: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. My religious constituents are concerned that they are about to lose their schools. They don't seem to understand the Prime Minister's plan for religious schools. What can the Prime Minister do to ensure they understand the plan? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for his question. As of now, seventy-two per cent of Qaz schools are religious. We want to reduce that down to one per cent. Religious people can still have their rights in a small school which has been permitted to continue to provide the education they have done so up until now. Dr. Speaker, the public should also know their own families and their own wish to teach their children according to religious education, are not affected, they can continue to teach any amount of religious education they like in their families, amongst their children. Speaker: Gayle Day. Gayle Day: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. My constituents are very supportive of the Government, Dr. Speaker, and are eager for public investment to be made into currently-privately-run businesses in the country. Does the Prime Minister have a timeline for when this work will be complete? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for her question. I have no timeline other than that of Parliament Business. We're discussing this Business now until the end of February, then the Higher Chamber is discussing this Business from the beginning of March until the end of April so we can only expect work to be completed after April sometime. I know that's probably of no use to my honourable friend but that's the best I can do. Speaker: Order! No, you are OK, you cannot say more than you know. Lyle Sanchez. Lyle Sanchez: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Order, order! There is too much noise in here. Looking around the chamber, some MPs are struggling to hear responses. I am not struggling yet but it is only a matter of time. Think of the public following proceedings on Qaz Parliament TV, please. Lyle Sanchez. Lyle Sanchez: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. My constituents are eager to see the Government introduce public investment in manufacturing this year. They are concerned that this Marxist Government will go down in history as the slowest to act or, to put it another way, the Government to work in the shadow of its predecessor the longest. Can the Prime Minister inform me as to why this work is only just getting done? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for the question. Dr. Speaker, we have been the first Government in the country to allow other elected Parties the chance to shine in this chamber and have their business seriously considered and debated, this is, of course, going to come at a cost. Our business, Dr. Speaker, has been gradual with this change in mind. You too, Dr. Speaker, were a driving force in getting such a scheme of work approved and you continued to support the continuation of such a scheme too. Speaker: Order! I thank the Prime Minister for her kind words, though, don't say everything nice about me now, you'll have nothing to say when I leave. Parliament: (Laughter) Speaker: Orderrrr! Natasha McGee. Natasha McGee: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I suppose my concern is that as the Government publicly invests in manufacturing that there will be no tax to support this effort from the Government. Speaker: (Sighs) The Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I think your sigh was felt on Government benches. Dr. Speaker, the answer is yes, there will be taxes for the people but, as with everything monetary at this time, we are lowering them so as to slowly and gently let our economy adjust. Speaker: Tyler Harrison. Tyler Harrison: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The Qaz GDP dropped again in the New Year, we are now D2bn down where we were in 2020, so, all the slagging aside, the Government is actually doing well on following through on its plan and the economy is not suffering at all now, however, I have to ask, does the Prime Minister expect the economy to suffer in the future? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank the honourable gentleman for his question, primarily, and also for his honesty. Dr. Speaker, the only way forward I see a suffering economy is by failing to vote Modern Marxist in October 2022. Government: Yeah! Speaker: Merle Frank. Merle Frank: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. My constituents are delighted to be against the export of jobs and capital, however, Dr. Speaker, they want to know what are the benefits of moving away from such a working system which has worked so far. Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, and I thank my honourable friend for her question. Dr. Speaker, the advantages for us as a nation of the prevention of export of jobs and capital are that there are more jobs in the country for struggling Qans or perhaps more jobs in Qaz companies abroad for struggling Qans, more emigration opportunities and having the capital in the country will further stabilise us as a country and aid us in our transition to a Marxist state with a Marxist economy. Speaker: Dewey Blair. Dewey Blair: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. My question is simply this. Surely the Government will not need the entirety of the capital which will now be staying in the country. Prime Minister: No, no, no, I see- I SEE WHERE THIS IS- Speaker: ORDERRRRR! Order! Resume your seat, Prime Minister, we have one person speaking at a time and that person is Dewey Blair! Dewey Blair: Dr. Speaker, I continue. Surely some of the capital, that which the Government does not use, can be sent back out to the hard-working population? Speaker: See, Prime Minister? Good things come to those who wait. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Dr. Speaker, I saw this coming, as I stated earlier. Speaker: Order! Order! Prime Minister! We all know you saw this coming, you told us earlier, no longer interested, you're wasting time, get a move on! Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. None of the capital we keep here, at home, will be paid out to anyone. It is being used to ensure there is no financial collapse in our country, that and that alone. Speaker: Chris Shakespeare. Chris Shakespeare: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. My constituents, as those now in an Independent constituency, wonder what this means for them, the business taking place, do they have to comply? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank the right honourable gentleman for his question. His constituents will be expected to comply, yes. They are very welcome to oppose the Government but will be expected to comply. Chris Shakespeare: Point of Order! Speaker: Point of Order, Chris Shakespeare. Chris Shakespeare: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. Am I stepping up in a moment? Speaker: Order, yes, he is, give me just a few, please. Order! The Minister for World Forum Affairs, Kenneth Kelley. Kenneth Kelley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. As an Observer State of the World Forum, I look forward, this year, to continuing to dialogue with the World Forum regarding our role and spotting anything we notice. We are essentially World Forum witnesses. I see neither the Government nor Parliament have made any reference to the World Forum for this year's work so I must ask, has the Prime Minister forgotten about our involvement? If not, what does she intend to do this year in keeping active within this role? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for his question. Aren't we all just glad I appointed him? Dr. Speaker, I have not forgotten about our involvement with the World Forum. I am very happy for the Minister and the World Forum to remain in regular contact and to discuss anything necessary which may arise. Speaker: Pablo Rice. Chris Shakespeare: Point of Order! Speaker: Order! Point of Order refused. Parliament: (Shock) Speaker: Order, order! Point of Order, I repeat, refused! The right honourable gentleman is advised I am fully aware of the time, thank you. Pablo Rice. Pablo Rice: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. We currently have a trade agreement with only one country. Does the Prime Minister plan to increase the amount of countries with which we have trade agreements this year? Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for his question. Yes, Dr. Speaker, precisely, that is precisely the plan. Speaker: Olga Moreno. Olga Moreno: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The Government will be restoring public ownership, this year, to a number of services, including electricity, gas and coal. This can be a lengthy task, when does the Prime Minister expect this handover to be complete? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Deputy Speaker. I have no deadline as of now but I'd say well into 2023. I understand we do have an election in October but the new Government, if it's still us, will push that work onwards, and if it's not us, won't be able to unravel that immediately, the unravelling will, of course, have to pass through this building first and be debated and meanwhile, our legacy can continue, so, to answer the honourable lady, I'd say well beyond October 2022, well into 2023. Deputy Speaker: Traci Matthews. Traci Matthews: Thank you, Dr. Deputy Speaker. In restoring public ownership to services such as water, railway and coal pollution mitigation, can the Prime Minister confirm that the change will be of no monetary disadvantage to anyone involved and that, in terms of coal pollution, taxes won't be introduced? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Deputy Speaker. I can't promise taxes won't be introduced in terms of coal pollution but that these taxes will be necessary and will be low. Deputy Speaker: Kurt Phelps. Kurt Phelps: Thank you, Dr. Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker: Order, order! I can clearly hear fed up sighs from here, that is an extremely rude reaction to the input we are about to hear, let's show some respect, please, would you like it if we sighed in reaction to you being called? I think not. Kurt Phelps. Kurt Phelps: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. The Prime Minister left my honourable friend's question half-answered. Will restoring public ownership of services such as tidal, solar and offshore wind power be of a monetary disadvantage to Qaz citizens or not? Deputy Speaker: Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Dr. Deputy Speaker. I thank the honourable gentleman for his question. The answer is no, Dr. Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker: Order! That concludes Prime Minister's Questions. I welcome you back to the chamber once more. We will continue with the rest of today's business as scheduled and so, I now suspend the chamber for lunch until 2:19PM. Order!
Private Members' Business, 9 February 2022
Speaker: Order, order! We now come to Private Members' Business. I call on Rudolph Stanley to introduce his motion. Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. This month, Dr. Speaker, the Government will vote on whether to or not to integrate all schools into common state schools. This will be a very difficult process for the Government to undertake but a necessary one nonetheless. Dr. Speaker, in doing this, there is a loophole left in the issue. The Prime Minister has stated before that there will be a select few religious schools allowed to stay as they are but what curriculum do they follow and how are they assessed? Frankly, these schools are forgotten about and their students are forgotten about. Dr. Speaker, I do understand the Government and the Prime Minister wanted to leave them out, deliberately, so that they were being untouched and so that people wishing to send their children to these schools were happy that the education would be staying the same but, Dr. Speaker, very little is considered on this front if we do actually leave them alone. This is a very careless way to treat these schools, their staff and their students. Dr. Speaker, I am not about to propose a system in which these schools and their communities have their own curriculum and assessment system running parallel with the state system, I am proposing that their Religion curriculum be added into the the state curriculum in such a way as it only applies to these schools in this area and is only accessible by them and done in such a way that assessment is treated the same way, assessment of their subject applies only to them and is only accessible by them. Dr. Speaker, I propose that we leave the curriculum as it is insofar as pleasing the public, obliging the Government and those concerned with the education provided in these schools in any way of learning what it is that is taught in Religion class in these schools and how they will assess them, the same way, I propose, and maybe as an extra day added onto the official state exams timetable. Dr Speaker, I propose the inspectorate ensure they are well-informed in this area and that they keep a close eye on how classes are managed and taught. I do stress, however, the need to do this fairly and equally. Government: Yeah! Rudolph Stanley: Dr. Speaker, in short, the Religious Education syllabus remains the same but worked into the state curriculum and applies only to schools teaching it. Assessment also remains the same and in the same way and the day for assessment of Religious Education is an extra day added onto the end of the state exams timetable. Speaker: Order! I hope the Government is listening closely. They have a lot to be proud of in what you said, you said it with great detail and without your motion, they would have been in a spot of bother. I certainly am impressed with you and your detail and consideration for others, you might consider running for Speaker when I step down. OK, let's move on. Elsa Jimenez. Elsa Jimenez: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I noticed when my honourable friend introduced the motion, he hesitated before saying necessary, why was that? Speaker: Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I actually stumbled over my words and I was grappling with what I meant to say, I apologise to my honourable friend if I appeared to hesitate. Speaker: OK, order! William Fields. William Fields: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I disagree with my honourable friend that these schools were forgotten about. I don't think they were forgotten about, I just don't think we gave the Government enough time- Speaker: Order, order! Mr. Stanley, please don't make me regret what I said to you. Please allow Mr. Fields to finish his statement. William Fields. William Fields: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I disagree- Speaker: Order, order! Don't start again, just finish what you were saying. William Fields. William Fields: To propose it. Speaker: Order! Orderrr! I think the honourable gentleman knew what I was telling him to do and this is his last chance to set the record straight. William Fields. William Fields: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I just don't think we gave the Government enough time to propose a motion on the topic and present it here. Speaker: Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: I apologise to you, Dr. Speaker. Speaker: Order! His apology is heard, understood and accepted. Let's move swiftly on, come on! Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I just want to remind my honourable friend that we only have this issue for the rest of this month and then wherever we leave off on this business, we hand it over to the Higher Chamber to continue, so there really was no more time to wait around, now is the time for action. Speaker: Oooooooooooo Kkkkkkkkkkkkkk. Order! Do you ever regret showing up to work? No? Just me then. Order, order! Tricia Warner. Tricia Warner: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I want to commend my honourable friend on his consideration for these schools, staff and students, as I agree that this is an area that was going to be left alone and that would have been very disruptive and inconsiderate. I think including them is not just a lot smoother but it works for both us and then because their curriculum is untouched but they are included in that untouched curriculum and the time taken to adjust parallels the state system so no-one is missing out. Speaker: Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I side with my honourable friend, this is it exactly. Something we were not going to do which would have caused disaster is actually fixed so easily and quickly. Speaker: Order! I thank the honourable lady and the honourable gentleman for restoring my faith in the chamber. Jessie Ferguson. Jessie Ferguson: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I also commend my honourable friend but on his ideal. Two systems would have generated far too much work and an unnecessary effort, not to mention having been very confusing to follow and very hard to manage. I think a state system including them in their system is much easier to understand and much more manageable. Speaker: (Nodding) Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker, and I am glad to see you nodding. It's true! This system is far less effort for the same amount of equal work and is extremely manageable! Speaker: Jessica Khan. Jessica Khan: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I agree with my honourable friend regarding curriculum because we are Marxists, we really do not do religion, so if anything is to be changed in the curriculum, it's not by us, we haven't the faintest idea where to start. Just to add in the curriculum and then proceed from there works the best. Speaker: Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for siding with me and her point is heard and well-made. Speaker: Samantha Todd. Samantha Todd: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I agree strongly with the role of the inspectorate in this bill, it will be very easy for them to rule on bias, we need to ensure they will not rule on bias. Speaker: Julian Nichols. Julian Nichols: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I- Rudolph Stanley: Point of Order! Speaker: Point of Order, Rudolph Stanley. Rudolph Stanley: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. You didn't call me, you just moved straight on, should I not have spoken in between the two honourable members? Speaker: Order, order, orderrr! This is not titled, "Mr. Stanley's Questions," it's not all about you. I was calling the honourable gentleman out of generosity but there certainly is no requirement for me to do so. Julian Nichols. Julian Nichols: Thank you, Dr. Speaker. I think my honourable friend hits the nail on the head in his summary of the issue at hand and I think he may have just smoothed over an area the Government were finding quite tricky and I silently applaud him for the way in which he did so. Speaker: Order! I agree with the honourable gentleman and what he has said and the way in which he has said it and I think we all applaud the honourable gentleman in question for his proposal. Order, order! I now order silence in the chamber for three minutes. This is to discuss the issue with your colleagues in your own Parties ahead of deciding in three minutes' time if we are going to bring this motion to vote at the close of business today. If silence is broken at any point in the next three minutes, you will know about it. I should hear nothing louder than whispering. Order! (To the Clerk, whispered) So, we'll call for a motion for or against bringing the motion to the adjournment debate this evening and if it doesn't, sorry, one minute. (To the chamber) Order! Silence! (To the clerk) Sorry, if it doesn't pass here and now, it should be a clue to me I didn't call enough people to speak or else the people disagreeing didn't take their opportunity to speak. Clerk: (To the Speaker) Yes, if it passes here today, it goes to vote tonight to be passed and then goes to the Government ahead of going to the Higher Chamber for more consideration and then to the President to be signed into Law. Speaker: (To the Clerk) Yes, great, and if it doesn't pass here and now? Clerk: (To the Speaker) Then it- Speaker: (To the Clerk) Order, one moment. (To the chamber) Order! Silence! Orderrr! I can see you, I'm not blind! Silence please! Order! Now is not the time, Ms. Cain, to be on WhatsApp. Thank you. (To the Clerk) Sorry, continue. Clerk: (To the Speaker) Thank you, Dr. Speaker. if it doesn't pass here and now, we give it back to the Government and let someone else try again. Speaker: (To the Clerk, looking at his watch) OK, thank you for your input. Order. (To the chamber) Order! Let's come back please. Orderrrrrr! Quickly, please! We now bring our motion before the chamber and, passing here, it goes before the chamber ahead of tonight's adjournment debate. Order! Those in favour of today's motion say aye. Vast Majority: Aye! Speaker: On the contrary, no. Vast Minority: No! Speaker: I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Order! That concludes this afternoon's Private Members' Business session. Great work, all, well done! I now suspend the chamber for break time until 5:27PM. Order!
Prime Minister's Statement on the Failure of the Religious Schools Act, 15 March 2022
Deputy Speaker: Order, order! Now follows an important statement made to the chamber this morning, made to the state, to the participants of the H Summits Major and the members of the Higher Chamber, and to patrons and management of religious schools in our country. This statement follows decisions made last night in the Higher Chamber. Today's statement was prepared by the Prime Minister, advised by her Vice-Prime Ministers and helped by the right honourable Luke Phelps. I am informed, this morning, that only the Prime Minister will deliver the statement and the Speaker's Council have decided this statement will not be followed by reactions and debate as it is a closed matter. Parliament: (Outrage). Deputy Speaker: ORDERRRR! Orderrrrr! The Speaker's and my decision is final! Orderrrrr! I now- Orderrrrr! If you want to be out of here quickly, I suggest you listen! Order! I hand straight over now to the Prime Minister, the floor is yours. Prime Minister. Prime Minister: Thank you, Doctor Deputy Speaker. Doctor Speaker, Doctor Deputy Speaker, Madam Deputy Speaker, Lady Speaker, Ladies Deputy Speaker, Lord Minister, Vice-Lord Ministers, Vice-Prime Ministers, Mr. Phelps, participants of our H Summits Major, religious leaders, management of religious schools and their patrons. Good morning to you all. It is with deep regret that I find myself here today, making time to make a statement to the country regarding last night's business in the Higher Chamber. This was a decision none of us saw coming. Us Marxists do not have religion, as you know, we do not live for a deity or higher power. We do not believe in reincarnation, we do not believe in an afterlife. We believe in the here and the now, we live in the moment, for us, this is the be all and end all. However, as Marxists, we want to see an equal and just society, this is called Socialism. We do not want to force others of other beliefs to become Marxist, we want them to continue to like us and vote for us, to continue to enjoy their lives their way, to continue to live in harmony with us. As you know, we have three hundred Members of Parliament sit on these benches, five hundred in the Higher Chamber, anything passed on these benches must also pass on their benches, their vote will determine whether or not a proposed piece of legislation gets signed into law or not. As you will know, last night, the Higher Chamber voted against the Religious Schools Act. This was a piece of legislation devised by the Government and I based on the pleas of religious school patrons and management and religious leaders and on the advice of former Prime Ministers of Qaweritoyu at H Summits Major. Mr. Phelps when he was Prime Minister, my Vice-Prime Ministers and I have worked hard on our part to get this Act passed and it did pass through this Chamber but it was not to be when it reached the Higher Chamber and I am afraid there is not much I can do about that except say to religious people, you are valid, you do have a place in our country and we do stand with you. Moving forward, what does this mean for our country? It means, sadly, that all religious schools will fall under the Common Schools Act from September onwards and that all religious schools must change their curriculum to reflect the terms of the Common Schools Act. However, school does not refer to Sunday schools or classes run by religions. Please feel free to continue to run, or even run more, within your communities of faith. Even if you cannot provide your education in the formal way you can from now until the Winter, you can continue on your own property and that is what I would strongly encourage you to do. The result from the Higher Chamber last night is disappointing but this is the future we are looking at and the Government and I do stand with you. Have courage, you are valid, as I said before, you are recognised. Thank you. Parliament: (Clapping and standing ovation). Deputy Speaker: (After the standing ovation) Orderrrrr! Order! The Speaker's Council forbid any members condemning anything said in the Higher Chamber last night or in the Lower Chamber this morning. Any members found to be in breach of this will be removed from Parliament without hesitation. The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk and I are being very strict on this. Minister to move. Minister: Doctor Deputy Speaker, the motion is that this Chamber do now adjourn, I beg to move. Deputy Speaker: The question is that this Chamber do now adjourn, as many as are of that opinion, say aye. Vast Majority: Aye. Deputy Speaker: On the contrary, no. Vast Minority: No. Deputy Speaker: I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Order, order! |
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