Australian Speaker of the House of Representatives to visit New Zealand

The New Zealand Parliament will host the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon Tony Smith, and a cross party delegation of Members of Parliament next week. This will be Speaker Smith’s first official visit to New Zealand in his capacity as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, Rt Hon David Carter, said “It is a pleasure to welcome Speaker Smith to New Zealand. This visit serves to strengthen the already warm ties between our Parliaments and enhances the relationship between our two countries. This visit will give the Speaker and I the opportunity to discuss, among many things, developments in parliamentary procedure and the challenges of increasing public engagement in politics.”

While in New Zealand, Speaker Smith will learn about New Zealand’s welfare-to-work initiatives, targeted approaches to alcohol-related violence, and our system of family law. Speaker Smith will also meet formally with New Zealand’s Speaker, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, the Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Little, Co-leader of the Māori Party, Marama Fox, and the Minister for Social Development, Hon Anne Tolley.

The delegation will meet with the Social Services Committee, and observe parliamentary Question Time in the House. As part of building inter-parliamentary relations, the delegation will be meeting with the New Zealand-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group, before attending a wreath laying ceremony at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The visit will conclude with a briefing from the Electoral Commission on New Zealand’s electoral public education programmes.

The Speaker will be visiting New Zealand from Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 April 2016.

ENDS

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