Media Release
14 August 2006
Parliamentary democracy on conference agenda
The 28th regional conference of the Australian and Pacific regions of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meets
in Wellington this week.
Fifty-three delegates from eight countries will meet in the debating chamber at Parliament from tomorrow through to
Friday. The conference will be chaired by the Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, who is also President of the New Zealand
branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
Ms Wilson said the CPA, irrespective of the gender, race, religion or culture of its members, promoted knowledge and
understanding of parliamentary democracy and respect for the rule of law, individual rights and freedoms.
‘This interchange of views under the CPA’s umbrella is something to be treasured,’ she said.
‘As recent world events graphically illustrate, parliamentary democracy is a fragile concept. Those of us lucky enough
to live and work in countries which, irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture, are united by a community of
interest and respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedom, must continue to pursue and promote the
positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.
‘Forums such as this offer members from various political parties the opportunity to come together for formal and
informal discussion and debate on issues that affect us all.
‘It is through these exchanges that we grow to understand each other’s perspectives on a particular issue.
‘Such understanding is essential if conflicts are to be resolved peacefully.’
The keynote address ‘Stable Government and the Role of Parliament’ will be presented tomorrow morning by Rt Hon Sir
Geoffrey Palmer, President of the New Zealand Law Commission. Foreign Affairs Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters will speak
on ‘Influences in the Pacific’ on Wednesday morning.
Other papers to be presented range from ‘Multi-Party Government in Fiji’ and ‘Global Warming and Sea Level Rise’ to ‘Can
Indigenous Cultures be recognised in a Parliamentary Democracy?’.
Once the conference agenda has been agreed, members of the public and the media are welcome to attend.
ENDS