4 Oct 2003

Vanuatu government to fix parliamentary dates

10:07 am on 4 October 2003

Legislation to be introduced in Vanuatu to reform Parliament will fix dates of parliamentary sessions each year.

The Daily Post reports that for the first time in the 23-year history of the national Parliament, the Government will table an Act aimed at improving Parliament's performance and services.

Jean Francois Metmetsan, of the Department of Strategic Management, says the move will establish a proper office of the Leader of the Opposition.

He says it will also define Parliament's role and powers, fix the two dates of ordinary sessions of Parliament each year, and set out the terms and employment conditions of parliamentary officers.