The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse hosted members of the media to a press conference where he briefed them about events leading to the establishment of the 13th Parliament, the summary of the Business transacted during the 1st meeting of the 1st session of the 13th Parliament and the upcoming meeting termed the 2nd meeting of the 1st session of the 13th Parliament which will start with the presentation of the Budget Speech by the Vice President who is also the Minister of Finance, His Honour Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, MP.
The Speaker introduced Parliament leadership and their respective portfolios He further shared that there are two critical committees in Parliament being; Business Advisory Committee responsible for the determination of the business of the house which comprises the Speaker as the Chairperson, Leader of the House representing the Executive, Leader of the Opposition, Government and Opposition Whips. The second committee; Committee of Selection comprises of the Speaker, Leader of Opposition, representative from the ruling part who is Hon. Victor Phologolo, and Government and Opposition whips. He said the committee is responsible for selection of members into Parliamentary Committees. In forming the current committees, the Speaker shared that, he called the members of this committee and pleaded with them to have an understanding and agree to try and have balanced committees. The Committee agreed to a 3, 3, 1, 1 formula for committees membership. 'This means that we have 3 members of the ruling party, 3 members of the main Opposition party and 1 member each from the two minority parties in the house.
He said this will enable the committees to effectively perform the oversight role of Parliament.
Regarding the Budget Meeting, the Speaker explained that it will start with the presentation of the Appropriation Bill followed by the actual presentation of the Budget Speech. He further said that Tuesday will be a clear day followed members contributions (debates) in general terms on Wednesday starting with Leader of the Opposition who is given more time as determined by the Business Advisory Committee. He further explained that that during LOOs presentation, members are not supposed to interject unless he invites them to do so. The Budget debate is expected to end around the 17th of April 2025.
The Speaker and his team assured members of the media that they recognise them as one of the critical stakeholders who can help Parliament to reach Batswana in all the corners of this country. They called on the media to cover Parliament accurately, to engage Parliament and seek clarity regularly where there is need and to have balanced reporting of Parliament Business. Publications
𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗢 𝗟. 𝗞𝗘𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗦𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗙𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔
The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse hosted members of the media to a press conference where he briefed them about events leading to the establishment of the 13th Parliament, the summary of the Business transacted during the 1st meeting of the 1st session of the 13th Parliament and the upcoming meeting termed the 2nd meeting of the 1st session of the 13th Parliament which will start with the presentation of the Budget Speech by the Vice President who is also the Minister of Finance, His Honour Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, MP.
The Speaker introduced Parliament leadership and their respective portfolios He further shared that there are two critical committees in Parliament being; Business Advisory Committee responsible for the determination of the business of the house which comprises the Speaker as the Chairperson, Leader of the House representing the Executive, Leader of the Opposition, Government and Opposition Whips. The second committee; Committee of Selection comprises of the Speaker, Leader of Opposition, representative from the ruling part who is Hon. Victor Phologolo, and Government and Opposition whips. He said the committee is responsible for selection of members into Parliamentary Committees. In forming the current committees, the Speaker shared that, he called the members of this committee and pleaded with them to have an understanding and agree to try and have balanced committees. The Committee agreed to a 3, 3, 1, 1 formula for committees membership. 'This means that we have 3 members of the ruling party, 3 members of the main Opposition party and 1 member each from the two minority parties in the house.
He said this will enable the committees to effectively perform the oversight role of Parliament.
Regarding the Budget Meeting, the Speaker explained that it will start with the presentation of the Appropriation Bill followed by the actual presentation of the Budget Speech. He further said that Tuesday will be a clear day followed members contributions (debates) in general terms on Wednesday starting with Leader of the Opposition who is given more time as determined by the Business Advisory Committee. He further explained that that during LOOs presentation, members are not supposed to interject unless he invites them to do so. The Budget debate is expected to end around the 17th of April 2025.
The Speaker and his team assured members of the media that they recognise them as one of the critical stakeholders who can help Parliament to reach Batswana in all the corners of this country. They called on the media to cover Parliament accurately, to engage Parliament and seek clarity regularly where there is need and to have balanced reporting of Parliament Business.