INCREASED SPEAKING TIME FOR OPPOSITION DURING SONA DEBATE

As part of the ANC's effort to deepen our country's participatory democracy, the Office of the ANC Chief Whip will propose that Parliament consider increasing the time allocated to opposition parties during the debates on the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The speaking time allocated to opposition parties during debates is a matter that President Jacob Zuma expressed concern about in one of the ANC Caucus meetings and had urged Caucus to consider it seriously. The time allocated to parties during debates is proportional to the number of representatives they have in Parliament. Although not compelled by the Rules of Parliament, the ANC has a longstanding practice of sharing some of its allocated time with the smaller opposition parties.

The Office of the Chief Whip will move swiftly to ensure that the proposal is tabled at the next meeting of the National Assembly Rules Committee with the hope that Parliament will urgently adopt it ahead of the debate on the State of the Nation Address in February. The Rules Committee has the power to develop, formulate and adopt policy concerning the business of the Assembly.

We agree with the President that an increase in opposition MPs' speaking time will afford all parties an opportunity to make meaningful contribution on issues raised by the President's speech, thereby strengthening our country's participatory democracy.

We believe that the Majority Party in Parliament can benefit from an effective and responsible Opposition, which is essential to the success of parliamentary democracy and the health of our country's democratic system.

Statement issued by The Office of the ANC Chief Whip, ANC parliamentary caucus, January 21 2010

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