ATTORNEY General and leader of Government Business in the Senate, AJ Nicholson, has urged committee members of both houses to move with dispatch in dealing with outstanding matters on the legislature’s Order Paper.

During a formal meeting of the Senate after the 2007-2008 opening session of both Houses recently, Nicholson said there were a number of items which had been on the Order Paper of the House “for quite some time” that should be dealt with in this legislative year.

“I believe we should move speedily to bring something to the Senate and the House of Representatives for them to chew on. I urge the members to urge their counterparts that we move speedily to conclude the work of these committees,” Nicholson urged the senators.

Noting that it was envisaged that the work would begin early in the legislative year, Nicholson said the committee deliberating the Offences Against the Person Act and the Incest (Punishment) Act would be meeting immediately after the Easter weekend.

“We know that at this time in our society the entire country is waiting to see what we the committee will report to the parliament, and so that one for example will be meeting week after next…there is an urgency to that,” the Attorney General noted.

He also called for the National Commission on Ganja Committee to be reconvened, saying that the last report was submitted four years ago. He also encouraged involvement of “the entire society” in discussions.

“That committee should meet. It is a long time… over four years and it is full time that committee meets bearing in mind that the suggestions have been placed on the table and there would be concerns both nationally and internationally. That committee should certainly meet and do its work,” Nicholson said.

In 2001, the Commission – led by Professor Barry Chevannes – recommended, among other things, that the Dangerous Drugs Act be amended to remove criminal sanctions for the private use of ganja, and that the use of ganja for religious purposes be legalised.

Although the proposals were considered by Parliament in 2003, the Act is yet to be amended.

The Attorney General also called for the committee considering the flexi-work week arrangements

to meet.

“I ask again that this committee meet; these are matters that have been on the order paper of the House for quite some time and I believe we should move speedily to bring something to the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Nicholson said.

Plans for a flexi-work week remain under consideration for implementation. The business community has long been lobbying for a flexi-work week to replace the basic nine-to-five structure that exists, saying it could improve productivity and cut operating costs. But delays to date are linked to concerns by the church, which sees potential conflict with scheduled religious worship.

In the meantime, the Attorney General seconded suggestions by Opposition Senator Arthur Williams that the Local Government Reform Committee be ‘set on its mark’.

“I think it’s full time we get set and run. It is an appropriate time to deal with it, the spirit of volunteerism is in the air. I’m urging those members in the Senate to push for it to be done,” Nicholson said.

Local Government Reform regained prominence on the national agenda in 1989 and is based on the philosophy that local government strengthening and community development are complementary processes that need to be closely integrated in order to foster greater empowerment of citizens.