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{
    "id": 678155,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/678155/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 368,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, I stand to support this Bill. We have key organs in this country; the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive. The legislative body is incubated by Parliament, which by all means, is a symbolic and key organ in terms of ensuring that the legislative arm is catered for. A lot of things happen in Parliament. Members of Parliament are recognized and acknowledged to have a lot to offer within their societies in coming up with the right legislation. This Bill is titled ‘The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill (National Assembly Bill No.35 of 2014).’ It includes both the National Assembly and the Senate. Madam Temporary Speaker, I think all aspects of the operations of what happens within Parliament are well catered for. The Bill is extensive and it gives details. It does not leave anything to chance because every aspect has been well tackled. The Bill provides for the precincts of Parliament by giving geographical position. It also provides for the privileges and immunities of Members and the Committee Members both at the Senate and the National Assembly. The membership of the proposed Committee will be the Speaker of the National Assembly Chairing the six Members and 14 Members drawn from the Senate and the National Assembly respectively. It also gives the provision of summoning of the witnesses when required. Further, it gives clear provisions about publications and broadcasting and especially how the material that is used from publication and broadcasting can be used so that it is not abused. Madam Temporary Speaker, in the Fourth Schedule, it clearly gives a code of conduct that is meant to help Members of Parliament in their day to day business. As usual, we do not rely on media reports as evidence. That has been confirmed too. The issue about carrying guns is also addressed. Parliament is a House of decorum and Members are expected to dialogue and not fight or utter adverse words against each other. The precincts of Parliament have been well defined. In sub-clause (2), the definition becomes key. Where Parliament sits outside the precincts of Parliament, such a place shall be deemed to be the precincts of Parliament precincts. This is key for the Senate because we may have a sitting in counties. Our sitting in a county will therefore be deemed a Senate House. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have protection from debt, civil and criminal suits, freedom of speech and that no proceedings or decisions of Parliament can be questioned by any court of law. It gives an allowance from freedom of expression. There is also protection of the members of stafftaking minutes. The information of the Committee should not be shared beyond the Committee sitting. Where there is a contravening situation, there is a provision on how to address it. There are penalties that have been given to curb such practice. It has been said right from the beginning that the threshold for these penalties needs to be clear. Therefore, from the onset of a committee meeting,it is important to sort out the issue of threshold on the punishment that can be meted out on what has been committed. 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"
}