Lifts that do not work properly, unannounced increases in the price of meals and a farcical security system are just some of the symptoms of a drop in standards at Parliament over recent years, says the Democratic Alliance.
Speaking during debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday on Parliament’s budget vote, DA deputy chief whip Mike Ellis said it is no longer the ”well-run institution” it once was.
In recent years, MPs have become far more accepting of a constant lowering of standards, and of an institution that is more and more controlled by officials rather than by the members themselves.
”Whether we talk about matters as diverse as a new system of air-travel administration, or the price of meals in Parliament, things happen over which MPs have no control.
”We are led to believe that a new travel system will be in place by the end of June. Not even the chief whips forum has been briefed about it yet.
”At the same time, the cost of meals went up in Parliament by 20% recently. There was never any discussion, it just happened, and a brief note appeared on the e-mail. Who is making these decisions? Not MPs, they are not even consulted.
Ellis said he noted with concern Parliament last year underspent its budget by R169 million.
”We have to ask why. It also received a qualified audit report, and again we have to ask why.”
Security in Parliament is a ”farce”, he said.
”Many millions of rands were spent a few years ago to install a sophisticated system. It doesn’t work. Not even the lifts in Parliament work properly!”
The production of Hansard — the documents used to record parliamentary proceedings — also reflect badly on Parliament.
”Parliament has stopped producing the soft-cover Hansards, which provide the most recent access to past debates.
”This was done, we were told, to free up resources to produce the bound copies faster. But a three-year-old bound Hansard is of very limited use. What we need, as members, is quick access to the latest debates.”
Ellis said the committee section of Parliament is also ”problematic”.
”It is understaffed and under-resourced. If it were not for the Honourable Geoff Doidge and a handful of devoted staff members, I doubt if we would ever hold a committee meeting in Parliament.
”Too often, committee meetings are cancelled at the last minute, often without notice reaching members. Too often, meetings start late.
”For some reason, when meetings are scheduled during constituency periods or the first sitting week, committee section sends inadequate notice of meetings, or cancellation or changes, and often to a member’s parliamentary office.
”Too often, members waste travel vouchers flying to Cape Town for meetings which have been cancelled, or meeting time is wasted waiting for a quorum.
”With nearly R13-million of Parliament’s budget for committees underspent last year, one has to question just what is going on,” he said. — Sapa