SPEECH BY MRS. SYBIL SEATON - MP

Madam Speaker,
I would also like to express the IFP's appreciation to you, the Deputy Speaker and those parliamentary officials and staff who work for the benefit of all for the good work that is being done to modernise our Parliament. I think that you know that I have the greatest respect and admiration for you Madam Speaker. You are a people's person; you genuinely have the interest of members at heart.

However, having said that there are still some really serious concerns. We have always contended that every MP should have a personal Secretary as is the case in many Parliaments around the world.  Members are desperate for more assistance and equipment; Most Whips have an extremely heavy workload, and yet not even they have a personal secretary. Despite the numerous requests over the years for Secretaries and equipment to do our work effectively, yet Parliament is not spending its available resources.

Mr. van der Merwe has spoken about the Pensions, but there are other issues that also require attention, e.g. the additional notch for members serving their third term of office. Presently members who have completed a five year term and those who have completed two fiver year terms are earning exactly the same amount of money. Hardly fair would you say? Yes, this matter is before the Mosenecke Commission, but what pressure is put on the Commission to rectify the position?

Many members have to run two vehicles and yet our care allowance is not even close to the car allowance of senior Parliamentary Officials who only need to run one vehicle.

Madam Speaker,
There are numerous outstanding issues relating to the infamous LG19, such as overnight accommodation for members travelling in excess of 800kms, the unilateral decision to limit AA rates to the cost of an air ticket on the shortest route.

Members are living in dilapidated houses in the three Parliamentary Villages. Houses furnished in main with old unsightly furniture and electrical appliances. Many houses are still not burglar-guarded. Pelican Park does not even have a tearoom. Members are stuck in these villages at night unless they drive a second vehicle in Cape Town and yet there are no facilities.

Then there is the issue of administration, which presently leaves a great deal to be desired. Why has the post of CFO not yet been filled with a permanent replacement? We were told that by the latest 30 May this person would be in place. Parliament to set the example of good management instead of the somewhat chaotic state we sometimes appear to be in. To get any response to correspondence to the Secretary's office on important matters, is almost impossible.

Many members have had their laptops stolen out of their locked offices, yet Parliament does not replace these laptops despite the fact that the thefts took place from secured offices. How are members expected to do their work?


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Mrs. Sybil Seaton: 083 412 0075
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848