PARLIAMENT BUDGET DEBATE – 22 July 2014 (NA 14.00 - 19.00) Cheryllyn Dudley MP ACDP The ACDP would like to once again express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Michael Coetzee. Too often people in positions like that of Secretary to Parliament - who serve their country diligently and with excellence and quietly endure insults with regard to the functioning of Parliament - do not get the credit they deserve and it is a shame that one has to die before recognition is given. Thank you Mr Coetzee for your service to your country and its people! The ACDP will be supporting this budget which facilitates the work of this amazing institution and Parliament of the people. Our 5th Democratic Parliament hit the ground running with the added colour and vigour of many members taking office for the first time. Before I pick up on some of the dynamics this has brought with it, I just want to remind you Hon Speaker of an issue that is hindering the oversight that the International Relations committee is expected to do. This committee oversees the work of a department which operates primarily outside of the country and yet the committee is only allowed one international trip in two years and then it must be a study trip and not an oversight trip. As a result the committee travels within South Africa mostly doing the work of public relations for the department rather than overseeing the work of the department. Back to our colourful Parliament – after hearing suggestions that recent unseemly behaviour should be ‘dealt with’ it got me thinking that in the interests of a strong democratic South Africa we must be careful to defend our freedoms - including freedom of speech and expression in Parliament - knowing that the rules we have will bring order – and in time possibly even shape a few attitudes for the better. When I first came to Parliament 15 years ago - I knew what I knew and had no problem saying it like I saw it or heard it! I often took the liberty of calling the ANC murderers - amongst other things – I felt courageous and was fearless for my cause - respect and humility being ignored in my zealous efforts. I was also rewarded with the respect of fellow zealots who like me somehow thought our cause was best served by clichés, sarcasm and being disrespectful! Like the EFF I did my share of being disruptive, spoke out of turn reacting to statements I didnt agree with in meetings and in the National Assembly - I was always looking for the most radical way to get my point across. Fortunately few of you were here then – and fortunately I eventually got acquainted with the rules and practices of Parliament. I also began to understand that it was of far greater benefit to understand the issues from multiple perspectives before assuming I had the answers. Seeing things through our own eyes is never the whole picture. My attitude was also often reflected in what I wore - favouring pants suits and even sandals! Sorry Hon ‘newbies’ – you are not as different as you think! Yes - intolerance and rudeness are offensive - what we must not do however - is become defensive and redraw lines more restrictively than they need to be for purposes of getting our work done as efficiently and effectively as democracy will allow. It looks like I have a few more seconds so let me say something about the PARMED proposal. The EFF’s argument re ‘choice’ is valid – and yet – those who may end up exercising that choice will not only disadvantage themselves but all of us collectively. One of the first things I took exception to when I came to Parliament was ‘being forced’ to belong to PARMED – 15 years later, at 61 years of age and facing possible retirement at each election – am I grateful that those who knew something about medical aids managed to keep the status quo!
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:52:09 +0000
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