<TABLE id=msgUN cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD id=msgUNsubj vAlign=top>
Coffeeshop Chit Chat - MPs "chow" play truant in parliment !!!</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>
Subscribe </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgF noWrap align=right width="1%">From: </TD><TD class=msgFname noWrap width="68%">Spearmint000 (Spearmint888) <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate noWrap align=right width="30%">9:18 pm </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT noWrap align=right width="1%" height=20>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname noWrap width="68%">ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 4) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft width="1%" rowSpan=4> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>7933.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Lan chal pay them so much and still act like school children that "chow" school. I bet those bastard must be in cinema, starbucks or bowling alley ....errrr... thats school children ... ok .... they must be in Health Center. C
Why so many empty seats at Budget Debate?
Wed, Feb 25, 2009
The Straits Times
LAST month's Budget Debate was one of the most important Parliament sessions in recent history. For the first time, the 'dual key' system was being activated to unlock our reserves, underscoring the severity of the economic crisis and the significance of the Budget in sustaining the economy. Yet, many seats in the House were glaringly empty for many of the sessions. Although I am not of voting age yet, it puzzles and worries me.
On what grounds can a Member of Parliament (MP) be excused from Parliament sessions? Many MPs hold full-time jobs. Given the importance of the annual Budget debate, I am sure the MPs would have been informed of the dates early enough to adjust their schedules and ensure attendance. Are our MPs having difficulties juggling parliamentary responsibilities and their own jobs?
Are MPs obliged to attend Parliament based on only their own interest in the issues discussed, or is it based on their membership in their respective Government Parliamentary Committees? Can Parliament disclose the attendance rate of each MP in the last financial year, up to and including the latest Budget debate? This will give the electorate a view of how active their MPs are in attending parliamentary sessions.
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Why so many empty seats at Budget Debate?
Wed, Feb 25, 2009
The Straits Times
LAST month's Budget Debate was one of the most important Parliament sessions in recent history. For the first time, the 'dual key' system was being activated to unlock our reserves, underscoring the severity of the economic crisis and the significance of the Budget in sustaining the economy. Yet, many seats in the House were glaringly empty for many of the sessions. Although I am not of voting age yet, it puzzles and worries me.
On what grounds can a Member of Parliament (MP) be excused from Parliament sessions? Many MPs hold full-time jobs. Given the importance of the annual Budget debate, I am sure the MPs would have been informed of the dates early enough to adjust their schedules and ensure attendance. Are our MPs having difficulties juggling parliamentary responsibilities and their own jobs?
Are MPs obliged to attend Parliament based on only their own interest in the issues discussed, or is it based on their membership in their respective Government Parliamentary Committees? Can Parliament disclose the attendance rate of each MP in the last financial year, up to and including the latest Budget debate? This will give the electorate a view of how active their MPs are in attending parliamentary sessions.
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