PRESS RELEASE

Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

For immediate release: 22 November 2016

New Zealand Parliamentarians learn from Westminster

Matt Doocey MP and Jenny Salesa MP are in London this week participating in the 65th Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure. The seminar is an annual event run by the United Kingdom branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at the historic Houses of the United Kingdom Parliament in Westminster, United Kingdom.

The Speaker, Rt Hon David Carter, said the seminar is renowned across the Commonwealth for its ability to provide participants with a thorough grounding in all aspects of the varied role of a Member of Parliament in a highly stimulating environment.

“Our participation in this annual seminar provides an excellent opportunity for New Zealand MPs who have recently come into our Parliament to exchange experiences and to learn more about the Westminster system as it is practiced in a diverse range of countries across the Commonwealth. I am sure the New Zealand participants will return with an enhanced understanding of how to navigate our unique procedural environment to the advantage of the communities they serve in this House of the people.”

The week long seminar provides new parliamentarians with in-depth procedural knowledge and the skills required to be an effective representative to their communities, scrutiniser of legislation and monetary policy, and to make an impact in the debating Chamber. One of the highlights of the busy week will be watching Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons and visiting a constituency office to see how the representative function is carried out in the community. The seminar will also cover a wide-range of important topics, such as accountability and transparency, enhancing public engagement with Parliament, parliamentary ethics, and modernising Parliament for future generations.

The seminar runs from 21 – 26 November 2016

ENDS

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