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    "id": 572001,
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    "content": "Parliament which has been legislated on, whether or not it is aligned to the Constitution. But you cannot question an individual Member of Parliament as to why they have made a particular decision and not the other or even trying to annul Motions or resolutions passed by the House. So, this Bill will go a long way in aligning our relationship with other arms of Government, so that we do not have such interferences in the future. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have already mentioned the immunity of Members from legal proceedings. The decision and activities of Members of Parliament are immune from proceedings. What a Member of Parliament does in performance of their duties cannot be the subject of a suit, where you sue that Member for participating in parliamentary duties. Similarly, the Speaker, Leader of Majority and Leader of Minority are also protected from any suit which arises from things they have done or said in performance of their duties. The same applies to the Clerk and all Members of Parliament and staff who work for Parliament. The Bill also seeks to protect members of staff from being compelled to give evidence, concerning minutes of a parliamentary Committee or reveal the contents of any proceedings of Parliament, either as a whole or in form of a Committee. Just as the Bill gives wide and sweeping powers, immunities and privileges, it also requires Members of Parliament and staff who work in Parliament to conduct themselves honourably. It creates a very serious punitive arrangement or consequences for those who breach or misuse the immunities that are attached to Parliament and its precincts. For Members, Clause 15 establishes the Committee on Powers and Privileges, chaired by the Speaker. For the National Assembly, it is the Speaker and 14 other Members who are appointed by the House in accordance with the Standing Orders. For the Senate, it is the Speaker and six other Members. This Committee has wide powers. Some of the things that they can do to a Member who has broken the code of conduct or abused immunities by doing press-ups in the wrong place, outside the gym, include a warning, reprimand or an apology. They can withdraw enjoyment of facilities for sometime or the Committee can also recommend removal or suspension from a parliamentary position either in a Committee or any other parliamentary position. The Committee can even impose a monetary fine which will be deducted from the Member’s salary or allowances. It can also recommend that the Member vacate their seat completely, in accordance with Article 75 as read together with Article 103 of the Constitution. So, it is a very powerful Committee that can even cause a Member to lose his or her seat depending on the gravity of the breach. Just to highlight, Article 73 of the Constitution is on the conduct of state officers. The Senators and Members of the National Assembly are state officers. Article 75 says that a state officer can be removed from office for demeaning the office that they hold as a state officer. In our case, as Members of Parliament, if one acts in a manner that demeans the stature, respect and dignity of the office of a Member of Parliament, they can be removed from office, under Article 75. The Committee on Parliamentary Powers The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}