Parliamentary delegates from Australia and the Pacific gather in Wellington

30 October 2009

Delegates from Australia and the Pacific region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will be attending the 18th regional seminar being held at the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington from 2 – 6 November, 2009.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, said the CPA has an important role in supporting and helping strengthen parliamentary democracy in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific regions.

He said the seminar will provide a valuable opportunity to share and assess how Parliaments can better serve their nations.

“Representative democracy in our region is a powerful force for freedom and fairness in the government of all our people,” he said. “Continued cooperation and shared support for each other through our network of Parliaments at national and state levels will be one of the outcomes sought from this seminar.”

Issues being discussed during the week-long seminar include climate change, engaging youth in democracy, preparation for natural disasters, accountability in government, and gender representation in parliament.

For further information contact Warren Inkster