Hansard of the 7th Radiatian Federal Parliament

[Radiatia]

HANSARD OF THE 7TH RADIATIAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

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President: Yerkal Nathus _{Until LET 39}
Hiroshi Vodotel _{LET 39 onwards}

Chief Judge of the Supreme Court: Alexey Zitnik
Chairperson of the Federal Council: Taisiya Pearce

Speaker: Markus Pierson
Deputy Speaker: Rigby Patton
Assistant Speaker(s): Vitomir Rosenberger
Robert Kurzmann
Clerk: Sylvia Vernon
Sergeant-at-Arms: Sergeant Radovan Xylander

Prime Minister: Soden Larssen
Leader of the Opposition: Luther Mikhailov

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GOVERNMENT (440):

Conservatives (399)
New Liberal Party (41)

OPPOSITION: (214):

Workers Party (200)
Greens (13)
Communist (1)

CROSS BENCHES: (156)

United Democrats (107)
Radiatian Destiny Party (49)

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Cabinet Larssen:

Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finance: Soden Larssen
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Internal Affairs: Bill Alyaha
Federal Minister of Defence: Arkadi Pavlovic
Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs: Gregori Fyoderov
Federal Minister of Law and Order: Maynard Yordanov
Federal Minister of Health: Tony Randall
Federal Minister of Environmental Protection: Mark Havener
Federal Minister of Industry: Hal Allen
Federal Minister of Agriculture: Aric Leitzke
Federal Minister of Social Welfare: Iva Espenson
Federal Minister of Education: Serina Nakamura
Federal Minister of Minority Affairs: Margot Kunkle
Federal Minister of Energy: Takahiro Daskalov
Federal Minister of Transport: Nikol Salzwedel

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CONTENTS:

• Opening of Parliament
• Election of Speaker
• Start of the Day (1)
• Obituaries
• The President's Speech
• Reinstatement of Business
• Early Day Motions
• Address in Reply
• Start of the Day (1)
• Question Time (1)
• National Security Act (First Reading)
• State-Owned Media Reform Bill (First Reading)
• Healthcare and Funding Bill (First Reading)
• Visa Waiver Repeal Bill (First Reading)
• Start of the Day (2)
• Question Time (2)
• Religious Freedoms Amendment Bill (First Reading)
• State-Owned Media Reform Bill (Second Reading)
• State-Owned Media Reform Bill (In Committee)
• Start of the Day (3)
• Question Time (3)
• General Debate
• Prohibited Substances (Torture Pill) Amendment Bill (Third Reading)
• Start of the Day (4)
• Question Time (4)
• State-Owned Media Reform Bill (Third Reading)
• Urgency
• Healthcare and Funding Bill (Second and Third Readings)
• National Security Act (Second Reading)
• Start of the Day (5)
• Appropriation (LET 40-41 Estimates) Bill (First Reading)
• Budget Statement
• Budget Debate

[Radiatia]

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT:

By order of His Excellency the President, YERKAL NATHUS, the seventh Federal Parliament of the Radiatian Federation was summoned to meet at Xerconia Castle, Federation Square in the city of Xerconia, Federal Capital Territory at 11am on Saturday July 7th in the Radiatian year LET 38.

His Excellency then took the Oath of Neutrality, and all members took the Oath of Allegiance to the Radiatian Federation.

The flag was raised in the debating chamber and the national anthem was sung.

President YERKAL NATHUS: "I, President Yerkal Nathus am hereby pleased to declare that the 7th Radiatian Federal Parliament is open.

"It is necessary firstly that Honourable Members choose one among you to fulfill the role of Speaker of the House, and that said person shall be confirmed as Speaker of the Federal Parliament by my own prerogative in the Federal Council chamber at 1600 hours today."

[Radiatia]

ELECTION OF SPEAKER:

Hon MARKUS PIERSON (Conservative - Radia 18th District): "I declare my nomination for the office of Speaker."

Hon Markus Pierson was elected as Speaker.

Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT: "Honourable members, I am deeply honoured that you have elected me as your Speaker. As the Radiatian Federation strives and continues to become a more democratic nation, and a champion of the ideals of democracy it is only fitting that democracy extend to the sittings of parliament.

"As such it is an honour to be the first elected Speaker of the Federal Parliament, and I extend my thanks to the Parliamentary Business Committee of the previous government, and to His Excellency the President who were instrumental in making the necessary proceedural changes.

"As your Speaker my door will always be open to all members of all parties. This role befits me well, as I tire of the game of partisan politics. As Speaker-Elect I will at 1600 hours obey the instruction and go to the President for confirmation. Once again, my sincerest thanks."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "Mr. Speaker-Elect, on behalf of the Workers Party I congratulate you on your election as Speaker and wish you well for your time in office.

"I think I stand for all those on this side of the isle when I say that we are pleased to be able to have a democratically elected speaker from amongst our own members, and therefore someone who can empathise with what it is to be a Member of Parliament, while at the same time detaching themselves from the partisan politics that plays out, and will begin to play out, across this dispatch box.

"I am confident that you are the right man for the job and I therefore congratulate you once again."

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "Mr. Speaker-Elect, I rise to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of the House.

"You are one of the more experienced members of parliament, having served for so long as a loyal backbench member of the Conservatives and I am confident that you will serve this house, and this nation well during your tenure as Speaker.

"Truly I look forward to working with you, and seeing you guide our Federal Parliament through the debates and disagreements that are sure to be seen over the next four years.

"I wish you all the best."

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar (United Democrats - Leader): "Mr. Speaker-Elect, I congratulate you on behalf of the United Democrats.

"Your election as Speaker is another positive step forward for democracy in Radiatia, and I therefore rejoice in such.

"I wish you all the best during you term as Speaker."

Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT: "Thank you all for your kind words of support and encouragement. I hope to live up to the confidence that you have shown in me and I thank you all this honour."

The Federal Parliament adjourned at 12:13 Xerconia Standard Time

[Radiatia]

START OF THE DAY:

Mr. SPEAKER took the chair at 1100 hours.
The Oath of Allegiance was read.

ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER:

Mr. SPEAKER (Hon Markus Pierson - Conservative): "I have to report that I waited upon His
Excellency the President yesterday in the Federal Council chamber when I addressed His
Excellency as follows:

May it please Your Excellency:

In obedience to Your Excellency’s request, the Members of the Federal Parliament, in the exercise of their undoubted constitutional rights and privileges, have proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and, as the subject of their choice, I now present myself to you and submit myself for Your Excellency’s confirmation.

To which His Excellency replied as follows:

Mr Speaker, it is with much pleasure that I approve the choice by Members of the Federal Parliament of you as its Speaker. I congratulate you on your election to this office, marking as it does the appreciation of the Federal Parliament of your impartiality and ability.

I have further to report that I also addressed His Excellency as follows:

I humbly thank Your Excellency for your confirmation of the choice made by the Members of the Federal Parliament of me to be their Speaker.

I have now, on their behalf, to lay claim to all their privileges, and especially to freedom of speech in debate, to free access to Your Excellency whenever occasion may require it, and to the most favourable construction being put on all their proceedings.

To which His Excellency replied as follows:

Mr Speaker, I confirm all the rights and privileges of the Federal Parliament which have ever been granted.

I assure you that the Federal Parliament shall always have ready access to me, and that I will at all times place the most favourable construction upon its proceedings.

Once again I thank the Honourable members for the great honour it has done me by electing me as its Speaker."

[Radiatia]

OBITUARIES:
The Hon Jeniah Kakanburg

Mr. SPEAKER: "I regret to inform the Federal Parliament of the death on June 29th LET 38 of the Honourable Jeniah Kakanburg, who served as the first Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Communist Party and as the 22nd Grand Chancellor of the Radiatian People's Socialist Union.

"Kakanburg, while a vocal supporter of communism, was also a supporter of freedom of speech and a great parliamentarian. She was also the first female to hold any major leadership role in Radiatia in over 400 years, since the Empress Usula, and was known to champion equality in all its forms.

"While many of us here may not have agreed with the views of the deceased member, I nevertheless ask the house to express our sense of loss and our sympathy for the late member's family.

"I now ask honourable members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect to her memory."

Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.

[Radiatia]

THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH:

Mr. SPEAKER: "Honourable members, I ask you to rise for His Excellency the President, Yerkal Nathus."

His Excellency President YERKAL NATHUS then entered the chamber, accompanied by the Sergeant at Arms.

The President then did proceed to deliver the President's Speech, as was written for him by the members of the Federal Cabinet.

President YERKAL NATHUS: "Honourable Members of the Federal Parliament. It is my priviledge to exercise my prerogative as President of the Radiatian Federation and open the 7th Federal Parliament.

"On the 1st of July, the people of the Radiatian Federation elected a new parliament. The outcome of the election demonstrated that the people of Radiatia desired to change the government and were clearly dissatisfied with the big government bureaucracy of the previous eight years.

"As such, a minority government led by the Conservative Party has been formed, with confidence and supply from the NLP. This means that the government commands the votes of 440 of the members of this parliament.

"The government is also open to co-operating with other parties on areas of mutual interest, and acknowledges that the United Democrats and Radiatian Destiny Party have agreed not to join the official opposition but will remain on the cross benches, ready to lend support to the government on issues of common ground.

"This government believes that the economy is the single most pressing issue currently facing Radiatians, and the Humanitarian League at large. This government believes that given the shaky economic situation internationally, a more frugal and financially minded government is best placed to help Radiatians ride out any potential economic shockwaves.

"As such the government will be enacting a full-fledged monetarist economic system, transitioning Radiatia away from the Keynesian model. The government pledges to lower taxes, cut unnecessary government bureaucracy and concentrate on lowering inflation rather than simply spending more money.

"This government believes that by lowering inflation we benefit the disadvantaged and poor of this country, and is opposed to the opposition's plans to trap people in a cycle of poverty by throwing welfare at them, thereby removing the incentive to work harder.

"This government will be honouring the two core values of Radiatian culture - individuality and efficiency. This government will create and foster a private sector that honours the individual, and maintain an efficient public sector.

"This government believes in rewarding the hardworking. It believes strongly in individual rights, and will seek to uphold and honour them.

"This government will take measures necessary to create a smaller, more efficient federal government, and will uphold the rights of our 36 state governments to be autonomous and independent, for we acknowledge that each of our 36 states are different and that as such it is not the federal government's responsibility or right to interefere in the affairs of the states.

"This government will be allowing for more religious freedom, rather than stifling people's faith and beliefs in layers of government bureaucracy. This government will uphold freedom of religion, rather than continue to force freedom from religion.

"This government will seek international trade deals, and will begin to pierce the veil on trade protectionism, opening Radiatia's consumer markets to the rest of the world thereby helping not only Radiatians but also helping the entire region.

"This government will simplify the federal tax system, creating a flat tax for all, and lowering the tax rate. The government will continue and increase support for big business, emphasising that wealth comes from the private sector.

"This government will also end the tight grip of political correctness, and allow Radiatians more freedom of speech instead of taking the dangerously totalitarian route of censoring people of the flimsy grounds of hate speech.

"This government will also protect Radiatia from the threat of anarchy, and will pledge a swift, efficient justice system, and a well-funded police force with a no nonsense approach to law and order. The government will focus on punishing the guilty and helping the victims, rather than doing things the other way around by advocating the failed "rehabilitative" approach.

"This government will be committed to the military modernisation programme, affirming that Radiatia's military dominance in the region is imperative, and believing that Radiatia must therefore have top of the range military equipment for its important role in keeping our own borders safe, and policing the rest of the region.

"This government is also committed to the nuclear deterrent, believing that the A-bomb is like an umbrella over us, and that the doctrine of mutually assured destruction also assures the safety and piece of mind of our citizens.

"Finally, the government will abandon the interventionist approach in foreign policy. We are a friend to the world, and just as we wish to respect the sovereignty of our 36 states, and would wish our own national sovereignty to be respected, so too shall we respect the national sovereignty of other nations, no matter how much we as a nation may disagree with their philosophy or government.

"This government is committed to the ideals of the Humanitarian League, to peace, progress and prosperity. This government believes in human rights and will advocate them, and stand for freedom from oppression, be that oppression from big government, oppression from large taxes or oppression from those who would seek to destroy our way of life.

"The people of Radiatia have turned to a new government to offer new ways of facing up to and solving the challenges faced by this country and the world. This government will not let them down.

"It is the people of Radiatia who make this country great, the 202,950,000 individuals rather than any group or government, and this government acknowledges that.

"As such it is those people, the people of Radiatia that this government shall seek to serve.

"Radiatia Prevails."

[Radiatia]

REINSTATEMENT OF BUSINESS:

Appointments - Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speakers:

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "Following on to the recent changes that have been made, I wish to move that we elect the Deputy and Assistant Speakers. And I seek the leave of the house to take this as one question."

Mr. SPEAKER: "Is there any objection to this course of action being taken? There is none."

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I move, That the Honourable Rigby Patton be appointed Deputy Speaker, and that the Honourable Vitomir Rosenberger and the Honourable Robert Kurzmann be appointed Assistant Speakers.

"It is my pleasure to nominate Rigby Patton as deputy speaker. He has long since been a loyal member of the Conservative Party backbenches, indeed I actually used to sit next to him up in that seat in the top row where one of the Workers Party MPs is sitting right now, back in opposition during the Nazumi Government.

"I also wish to nominate Vitomir Rosenberger of the Conservative Party and Robert Kurzmann of the Workers Party to the positions of Assistant Speaker. I know that they have both served this house well, and I am pleased to be able to nominate a member from each side of the house so as to keep balance and impartiality.

"Mr. Speaker these members will be assisting you during your time as Speaker in helping keep order in a parliament that we all know can get overexcited and out of hand from time to time."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Workers Party to announce my own support for this arrangement. We recognise the right of the new government, with the clear majority, to suggest who it wishes and we will not at this stage hesitate to support them.

"Alas, I am a little disappointed that, much like the new Federal Cabinet, the parliamentary offices appear to be devoid of women. I sincerely hope that this is simply due to the unavailability of women, rather than a sign that the Conservative government may be reverting back towards a less gender-equal society.

"However apart from that I am very happy with these appointments and I look forward to working with the new presiding officers."

Motion agreed to.

Establishment of Parliamentary Committees:

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I move, that a Commerce Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to business development, commerce, communications, consumer affairs, energy, information technology, industry, insurance and superannuation;

that an Education and Science Comittee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to education, education review, industry training, research, science and technology;

that a Finance and Expenditure Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and inquire into matters related to Government finance, revenue and taxation;

that a Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to defence, trade, arms control, foreign affairs, immigration and customs;

that a Government Administration Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to and to examine matters related to civil defence, cultural affairs, internal affairs, State and local government affairs, State services, statistics, tourism and youth affairs;

that a Health Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to health and the FHS;

that a Justice Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to justice, privacy and freedom of information;

that a Law and Order Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to corrections, prosecutions, policy enforcement and serious fraud;

that an Environment Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to conservation, agriculture, biosecurity, environment

that a Social Services Committee be established to consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Federal Parliament and to examine matters related to housing, senior citizens, social welfare and veterans' affairs;

and a Parliamentary Business Committee be established to examine, report on and establish the business of the Federal Parliament, with the majority in that committee to be held by the Conservative Party.

"Mr. Speaker, I'm sure that honourable members are familiar with how the parliamentary committee system works by now, however we will be continuing the tradition of the Toriah Government and ensuring that the governing party, or the senior governing party holds the majority on the Parliamentary Business Committee, in the name of efficiency."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov: "Again, I have no qualms with any thing being moved here, though I will comment that I find it somewhat cute that Mr. Larssen suddenly has a great respect for the woman who he has spent the last four years insulting."

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I would think that insulting Mrs. Toriah is much better than betraying and backstabbing her like you lot did."

Mr. SPEAKER: "ORDER! This is supposed to be a non-controversial motion."

Motion agreed to

[Radiatia]

EARLY DAY MOTIONS:

Emma Drew - Election as President of Detectatia:

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "I move, That the Federal Parliament convey its sincere congratulations and warmest regards to President-elect Emma Drew of the Republic of Detectatia upon her historic election win and in doing so expresses its desire to work with her government on continuing to build the Radiatian Federation's already close relationship with Detectatia.

"Mr. Speaker the Radiatian Federation and the People's Republic of Detectatia are very good friends, and we share many common values. Indeed I also congratulate them on their recent joining of the Humanitarian League and look forward to future co-operation with them in - especially - the field of economics, and we look forward to hopefully setting up trade agreements with them and building on an already very solid, very strong relationship.

"While the challenges faced by Detectatia are very different to those faced by us here in Radiatia, nevetheless the people of Detectatia have placed their trust in the hands of Emma Drew and as such I wish her well."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "On behalf of the Workers Party I too join in congratulating Emma Drew on her election, and look forward to whatever changes her government will make.

"I also wish to pay tribute to Andrew Roneril, who set the foundations for our relationship and was a wonderful President during his time. His stance in supporting civil freedoms and human rights is something that we here in the Workers Party find admirable, and he ran a fantastic campaign.

"Nevertheless Emma Drew, while perhaps not as Liberal as I would have hoped, has my sincerest congratulations."

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar (United Democrats - Leader): "I too congratulate Emma Drew and the Moderate Party on their election success. It is a shame that just as our own female leader and centrist government leaves the house, does Detectatia's enter.

"Nevertheless, the United Democrats and the Moderates are sister parties and as such the election of Emma Drew is of extra importance to us. We know, just as she knows, that the people of Detectatia are surely in the best hands that they can be in and we look forward to the inevitable successes awaiting her and her government."

Hon Ronald Herzlos (NLP - Leader): "Mr. Speaker I congratulate Emma Drew on her historic win, and I also join in welcoming Detectatia to the Humanitarian League.

"Detectatia is a country from whom we stand to learn, it is a country where civil rights and economic freedom is held sancrosanct. I wish take this moment to pay tribute to Andrew Roneril, who was in an indirect way my mentor and my inspiration in formulating the policies of the NLP.

"Andrew Roneril, while unsuccessful in the inevitable desire of Detectatia for a change in government, was a very successful President and showed us without any doubt the libertarianism can work."

Motion agreed to.

Humanitarian League - Welcoming New Members:

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I move, That the Federal Parliament congratulates, and welcomes the new members of the Humanitarian League and looks forward to a production future working with each and every one of them.

"Mr. Speaker, in the last few months the Humanitarian League has seen the welcome arrival of Poldania, Battlion, Detectatia and Kingborough. As the organisation grows it shows that the region's desire for peace and prosperity is also growing.

"Therefore the Radiatian Federal Parliament, representing all sides of the political spectrum, does therefore as one congratulation these new member nations and expresses our wish for common prosperity, better relations and friendship."

Motion agreed to.

[Radiatia]

ADDRESS IN REPLY:

Hon ANGELA PAVLOVIC (Conservative - List): "I move, That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the President in reply to the President's speech.

"I wish to begin my maiden speech in the Federal Parliament by acknowledging you, Mr. Speaker, and congratulating you in your new position. Not for the first time has the Conservative Party shown the way and been a trailblazer in making this nation a freer and more democratic one and I congratulate you as the first ever elected speaker of the Federal Parliament.

"I also wish to acknowledge His Excellency the President, Yerkal Nathus. It is an honour to be giving my maiden speech under his watch. He is a man who I have worked with on a number of occasions in the past, and I pay tribute to the stability that he has given this nation, and the gentle guidance he has shown during his time as President.

"To the Big Man, the Most Hon Soden Larssen and now the Prime Minister, I pay tribute. I wish to thank him for leading the Conservatives into power, and for assuring the election result that we have gained, which has allowed for me to enter parliament despite being placed 192nd on the party list. I also wish to acknowledge the former Prime Minister, the Most Hon Lena Toriah, with whom I worked on a number of occasions and who has been a champion of women's rights throughout this nation.

"Finally I wish to thank my husband, the Rt Hon Arkadi Pavlovic, who convinced me to run for parliament in the first place. Some of you may be able to see him on the front benches, having become the new Federal Minister of Defence. He and I have long been supporters of the Conservatives, although our careers have often seen us unfortunately flung far across the world. At least now in parliament I am able to keep a close eye on him."

Hon members: "Ha-ha!"

Hon ANGELA PAVLOVIC: "For those of you who don't know me, for the last five or six years I have been living in the wonderful nation of Aazeronia, and serving our country as the Ambassador to the Humanitarian League. Within the organisation, I achieved the status of Deputy Chairperson, before resigning to come back here.

"In serving within the organisation of the Humanitarian League I have learned much and I have come to give this to the people of Radiatia. Likewise within Aazeronia I have learned a lot. It is a great country. It's clean, and it's safe and it has a high standard of living for the most part.

"But I have craved this great northern land. I never thought I'd miss the volatile weather, but I do. And I missed being with my own people. I missed the individualism and the efficiency of living in Radiatia, the very cultural values that underpin what it is to be Radiatian. These are the very values that the Conservative Party espouses.

"The Conservatives stand for freedom. I stand for freedom. The Conservatives stand against communism. I stand against communism. The Conservatives stand for individual rights. I stand for individual rights. The Conservatives stand for everything therefore that a Radiatian stands for, and everything that the Humanitarian League stands for, and I am proud to be a Radiatian, I proud of the Humanitarian League and I am proud to be a Conservative."

[Radiatia]

Hon CHANDLER YAKOVLEV (Conservative - Alayenia 11th District): "I second the motion that a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the President in reply to the President's speech.

"I would like to begin by congratulating you, Mr. Speaker, on your election to this important and prestigious role. Needless to say you have had a lot more experience in this chamber than I have, and I am very pleased that I will be learning the ropes as a new MP under your guidance, and I am thankful as well that in you I have a fellow Tory on hand to show me the ways of the Federal Parliament.

"I also wish to state that I very proud to be entering the Federal Parliament for the first time as a foot soldier in the Larssen Government, and I congratulate, pay tribute to and thank immensely our new Prime Minister, the Most Hon Soden Larssen. He has led the party to an astounding election victory, and I am sure, indeed I have no doubts, that he will do for the people of Radiatia the great service he has done the Conservative Party.

"Mr. Larssen is a man of outstanding leadership, anyone who has ever worked with him before knows this. He is a man of strength, both physically and in terms of his character, and he is one of the most positive, affable and down-to-earth people you could ever hope to meet. Such a breath of fresh air after 8 years of Lena Toriah.

"Honourable members, I have been elected to represent the 11th federal electoral district of Alayenia. Now given that we have just changed to a numbers based system, that probably means nothing to you so let me explain a little about my constituency.

"I represent the geographic heart of Exegrad City. My constituency stretches from the base of the Fyurid Hills, and encompasses most of the Central Scarlett, Central White and Central Orange wards, just east of the Exegrad Central Business District. It's an area that really represents normal, mainstream, run-of-the-mill Radiatians.

"These are people who work hard, and who are competitive. Who have families and who have values. 17% of the people in my constituency hold a religious belief - the highest number in Exegrad City. And that's great. I'm not going to judge them, I stand for their right to believe what they want.

"Most of those people are middle class, sometimes upper middle class people. They aren't oligarchs, or thieves, nor were they born rich. They are people who work hard, and have worked hard and who deserve to be rewarded for their work. And yet many of them struggle under a tax burden that is far too high, a tax which steals from them and gives their hard earned money away to people who didn't work hard, who chose to be lazy and who are rewarded for it!

"I am tired of living in that sort of country. I am tired of the lazy being rewarded and the hardworking being punished. I am tired of, in our justice system - which foreigners in the Humanitarian League have no doubt tried to interfere in - the fact that we reward the criminals and punish the victim. What does the criminal get, especially in Alayenia, if he commits a crime? Shelter, water, warm meals and hundreds of dollars wasted on them so they can commit the crime again. What does the victim get? A lifetime of fear, or nothing."

Hon VARLARM ANGER (Conservative - List): "Or they get killed."

Hon CHANDLER YAKOVLEV: "Or they get killed, as the honourable member quite rightly points out!

"Finally, and this is a personal view, and one shared by members of my constituency, but as much as I admire this government's "Sunshine Policy" ideals in regards to international diplomacy, I will add that I am here not just as a Conservative, but as a Neoconservative. I believe in the values of the Humanitarian League, and I believe that those valued ought to be defended and that they ought to be, how shall we say, encouraged abroad. This nation ought to be intervening abroad, and we ought to be courageous in our fight to bring freedom and democracy to all peoples and all nations.

"Naturally with 399 Conservatives in the Federal Parliament not all of us will agree on all things but I state that as my view, and what I stand for on behalf of my constituents and as my parliamentary career continues, so too shall I fly the Neoconservative flag.

"Honourable members, let me conclude my maiden speech by saying this: I'm a Neoconservative Neoliberal, and I'm god damn proud of it!"

[Radiatia]

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "I move, That the following words be added to the Address: "and it wishes to inform the President that this House has no confidence in the Conservative Government as it plans to take measures which will see the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the total erosion of social mobility.

"Once again, the Tories have confused the great Radiatian value of efficiency with the un-Radiatian value of callousness, cold-heartedness and downright cruelty. And they have confused the value of individuality with selfishness. They talk about wanting to get tough on law and order, and yet if they had it their way we would be a nation of 200 million cold-hearted thieves. Oligarchs always seem to thrive under a Conservative government, and corporate crime and fraud never fails to soar.

"If you want proof just look at the last two one-term wonder Tory governments that the nation has endured. We had the First Conservative Government, who privatised everything it could get its dirty, bloody hands on, which saw the GDP halved, income inequality soar to levels that have still not been reversed and the standard of living decline to near third world standards.

"The Second Conservative Government, of which our esteemed Prime Minister was a Cabinet Minister, was run by a man internationally believed to be corrupt and a fraud. A man who was not found innocent (interruption) He was not!"

Conservative MPs: "Boo!"

Mr. SPEAKER: "Order in the House!"

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov: "Mr. Speaker, The Most Hon Kurt Demodand was not found innocent of corruption. He was guilty. But he got off on a technicality due to the fact that, under his crooked, corrupt watch there were no constitutional clause preventing him from manipulating the people of Radiatia and doing what he did. And Mr. Larssen was one of the members of that government, he was Demoman's puppet, whether or not he wants to admit it.

"Now... in spite of what I have to say, I do wish to stop and congratulate the new government, and particularly the two new members who moved and seconded the Address in Reply. I look forward to their contributions in the Federal Parliament and wish them well throughout their time in the House.

"Mr. Speaker, the Toriah Government has left a beautiful legacy for the government to build on. Radiatia is well placed to deal with a regional financial crisis, with a AAA credit rating from Global Standard Ratings. We have the fastest growing economy in the league, and the second or third largest GDP - with some sources still placing us as having the largest GDP. We have one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world.

"All these things were results of the economic reforms and management of the previous government and I pay tribute to my former coalition partners the United Democrats. Corruption in this country has decreased, we have access to more international markets, our place in the world has become that of one of the major rising world powers, we have the Humanitarian League... and that's not to mention things like the Federal Health Service, or investment in education.

"Indeed thanks to initiatives passed by the Workers Party, the Radiatian Federation has moved from being ranked the stupidest citizens in the region by the World Assembly, to be the third stupidest. This isn't ideal, and we would be a much more intelligent nation had the Tories not dismantled the National Education Service. However, it shows we are moving in the right direction and I implore the government to continue investing in the future of our children, no matter what state they are from.

"Mr. Speaker, I fear that this government intends to oppose measures such as national education and welfare, which will remove the even ground on which Radiatians may start. They seem intent on rigging the race in favour of the rich and and already advantaged, rather than honouring what makes capitalism an ideal system - that is social mobility.

"They talk about us rewarding the lazy and punishing the hardworking but it's exactly what they do on their side of the fence. States with Conservative governments all seem to have destroyed trade unions and abolished the minimum wage - hardly fair to the hardworking is it? Hardly rewarding to the people who do all the work in this country is it? Where does the money go? Fat cat businessmen, who do nothing but sit there and become as fat as the Prime Minister!"

Rt Hon BILL ALYAHA (Deputy Prime Minister): "Point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Leader of the Opposition is an experienced member who knows that he cannot address another member, especially not the Prime Minister, in such a way."

Mr. SPEAKER: "Mr. Mikhailov, the use of personal attacks against other members will not be tolerated. Consider this a warning."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov: "I withdraw and apologise. But my point is that the government's actions are the opposite of its words. It goes against its own values, assuming that the Tories have any values.

"And as such they can expect the opposition to hold them to account over the next four years. And we will. We will watch very closely, and we will not let you get away with your hidden agendas, your plutocratic plans, and your constant betrayals of the trust that the people of the Radiatian Federation have so blindly placed in you."

[Radiatia]

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "Mr. Speaker, may I be the first in this house to congratulate Luther Mikhailov on his new position as Leader of the Opposition. I truly believe that he has what it takes to be a great Leader of the Opposition."

Hon Member: "You do?"

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I do. He's got terrible policies, and the ability to whinge and moan about anything and everything, which makes him perfect for the role. Furthermore I wish him a long tenure in the role - because for the longer he stays in that role, the longer it means him and his party of lunatics are safely out of government, and thus unable to do any damage to this country."

Mr. SPEAKER: "Order!"

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "This election was one in which the people of Radiatia voted for change, and more specifically they voted for freedom. They voted for a breath of fresh air after 8 years of authoritarian statism, after 8 years of crippling bureaucracy, after 8 years of rules, regulations and big government.

"They voted to have the old guard cleaned out, the bureaucrats thrown on the streets, the windows thrown open and the fresh breeze of open government to clean away the strench of socialism.

"They voted for an efficient government, for a government that respects the rights of the individual, who will keep them safe on the streets, safe from foreign threats, and which will uphold their rights to do, think and be whoever and whatever they want, without regulating every aspect of their lives, from their economics to personal beliefs, as the previous government did. Previous government, which I am sorely tempted to call a regime.

"But the United Democrats ship self destructed, and now they have sunk to a point where they aren't even an opposition party. They're a third party. Because they betrayed each other, and they betrayed the nation, and hell hath no fury like a Radiatian betrayed. As such, the voters put the United Democrats out to pasture.

"So let's talk about the opposition. Well, if there's one good thing that can be said about the Workers Party, they're certainly determined. You would think that the last four election results would have made it very clear to them that they are irrelevant. Socialism is dead, Keynesianism is dead, and no Radiatian in their right mind is going to vote for a party that wants to ban the death penalty and cut down the military. The United Democrats would have us living under totalitarianism. The Workers Party would have us living under anarchy.

"No wonder the people of Radiatia made is so damn obvious that they wanted a Conservative government. We are the natural governing party. We are the party that led this nation out of communism 25 years ago, we are the party that modernised the economy 12 years ago and we are the party that time and time again Radiatians turn to when the other parties inevitably fail them. We are the trustworthy party. Our methods are proven, our policies are common sense. We are not radicals, we are pragmatists. We are not bureaucrats, we are efficient. We are mainstream Radiatia.

"I represent the 17th electoral district of Alayenia. Contrary to what many may assume, it is not a rich suburb. It is one of the most working class, socio-economic disadvantaged electorates in the country! It's East Exegrad - Scumbucket territory. And yet, it is a safe seat for the Tories. Why is that, given that which the opposition constantly accuses us of?

"It is because we are the party of aspiration. We are the party of the future, the party of social mobility, the party that believes one can better himself by woring hard, that one can dream it and do it, that one can get what he wants. We don't tell young people with dreams that they will have to share their success with others. We don't instigate class warfare by pitting the working classes against the upper classes.

"We, not the Workers or the Communists, believe in equality. Everyone is the same, and everyone is the master of his own destiny. We proclaim it, we acknowledge it to be true and it has been made clear that the people of the Radiatian Federation also know it to be true.

"Of course, we are a minority government and I wish to acknowledge the NLP and Ronald Herzlos, who are supporting us in confidence and supply. The NLP see what we see - that this country needs an end to the bureaucracy, and that this nation needs more personal freedom. They broke away from the last government, and they are a natural and much welcome partner for the Conservative Party.

"Finally I thank my own party, my cabinet, who I know to be the most talented individuals I may ever get the priviledge to work with. And to the 399 loyal Tory MPs who sit behind me, the footsoldiers, the backbenchers, the ones who will really be bringing about the change. I thank you. I pay tribute to you. Each and every one of you.

"To the new MPs of all parties - welcome, I wish you well. Congratulations to the mover and seconder of the Address and Reply debate. It is an honour to have such individuals as yourselves in the Conservative Party, and I look forward to your achievements in the future.

"Mr. Speaker I could spend hours talking about all the great things that this government is going to achieve, but as a believer in hard work and efficiency, I shall now stop talking and start doing."

[Radiatia]

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar (United Democrats - Leader): "I move, That on the amendment proposed by Luther Mikhailov, the words after "government" be omitted with a view to subsituting the following: "as it intends to open up Radiatia's economy at a time of regional financial uncertainty, making it more likely that Radiatian businesses will be swallowed by foreign competition, and more likely that businesses will begin outsourcing to compete, thus destroying jobs."

"Mr. Speaker, firstly, congratulations on your election as speaker. I can assure you that the United Democrats will support you in your efforts create a higher standard of debate and conduct in this house, and wish you well as you seek to maintain order.

"Likewise we congratulate the new government. The new government has been left in a very good position by the United Democrats, and I am sure that they will appreciate that - given the negative outlook throughout the regional economy.

"There's no denying that we were defeated in the election, and we pledge to learn from the mistakes we made. We are not opposed, per se, to the Tories - we will support them on their policies which will ensure economic growth and stand against them on their plans which will not.

"The fact is that whenever you stray too far from the center, you inevitably will lose the balancing act of juggling economic growth with a strong public sector. The previous government, of which I was a part, made the mistake of straying too far left and Radiatia has elected a right-wing government to balance this out. I understand this.

"We came to power eight years ago to put an end to that endless left-wing/right-wing battle, and I freely admit that we flirted with socialism much more than was good for us.

"So we will continue to support actions which support big business. You can count on it.

"However this government is swinging dangerously to the right. For four years Soden Larssen screamed and shouted the red scare, and accused of of communism. Well I accuse him of libertarianism, which as we all know is tantamout to anarchy.

"Liberalising trade will provably ruin the economy. It has done so in every other country in which it has been tried. We are the fastest growing economy in the region, because we have trade barriers in place regulating and restricting malicious multinationals from destroying Radiatian jobs. Poldania and Battlion are the same - both economic powers with trade barriers protecting them.

"Countries like Welsh Cowboy and Detectatia, which have open markets, have weaker economies because businesses there outsource everything, while their industries are trampled on by stronger nations."

Hon VESA ETHEL (NLP - List): "You mean like Radiatian ones? Which you encouraged?"

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar: "What our businesses did was no concern of mine, they just did what any multi-national would do, and what will happen here..."

Hon VESA ETHEL: "He did encourage it!"

Hon Member: "He's a hypocrite!"

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar: "Mr. Speaker, even if it is true that Radiatian businesses are crushing competition overseas - which they aren't by the way. Radiatia's presence in Nui-ta has caused business to boom, and we did so with a free trade deal. One which benefits both parties.

"The government's proposals won't benefit anyone. We need to be able to choose who is allowed to do business here, and vice versa. The other countries should have that right too.

"Case and point if we are causing havoc abroad - it only shows what will happen to us if we allow this free trading, open market fantasy to go ahead.

"So that is my main concern with the Tories. I also disagree with their views on the public sector. But I do agree with their views on law and order and on defence, and therefore I look forward to having a positive relationship with the Larssen Government on those areas of mutual interest."

[Radiatia]

Hon Derro Vahnsehn (Radiatian Destiny - Leader): "Mr. Speaker I am unsure as to how I feel about this election result.

"On one hand I rejoice because the socialists are out. And the Tories are in. The Tories are a good party and I have a lot of respect for many of them.

"There's no denying that they led us out of communism, and that they set the groundwork for Radiatia's current prosperity. And so it should be - it is after all the destiny of Radiatia to be prosperous, to be great and for the Radiatian way of life to eclipse all those inferior forms of life. After all, the only way is the Radiatian way.

"And I tribute them for taking a stand on defence and law and order. This is something I liked about the United Democrats too. The Conservatives are half right.

"But Mr. Speaker, I have no time for Mr. Larssen's choice of coalition partner. The NLP is possibly the most un-Radiatian party I have ever seen. Communism shares some Radiatian values. NLP shares none and it screams of foreign infiltration. In fact if it were up to me I would be launching investigations on whether the NLP are even Radiatians at all, given how they wish to act as quislings and betray Radiatia's strong markets to the rest of the world.

"I have no time for this government and it's psuedo-libertarian overtones. Once again - foreign infiltration. Un-Radiatian activity. Betrayal of this nation. We know why this is don't we?

"Because our constitution isn't ours anymore. Is it? The Radiatian Federation is day and night surrounded by a pack of hungry wolves. But these hungry wolves have become cunning foxes and pretend to be our friends. But are they?

"Would a friend infringe on another person's sovereignty, like the Humanitarian League does? Hell no!

"How many nations haven't betrayed us in that league? Day and night they plot against us, Crata plots to turn us into anarchists, Poldania plots to turn us into socialists, Battlion plots to take our resources and our weath, Nui-ta plots to take our military forces, Aazeronia plots to take our right to an independant foreign policy, Penguinmark has its eyes on our oil, and the less said about the former RPSU the better!

"Our only friends are Welsh Cowboy and Detectatia - but you wait and see. They'll betray us soon. And the Humanitarian League hivemind will infiltrate them and soon there will be no choice - either surrender to the Humanitarian League Illuminati or die!

"Well, honourable members, I am prepared to die! Mark my words, we have no friends in this region. We have enemies. And rearm, as quick as you can because a war is on the horizon, and enemies are waiting at our borders.

"Honourable members, if I may quote a line from the national anthem which I would say to the people of the world, it's this:

"Lick my butt and suck on my balls.

Radiatia - Fuck Yeah!"

[Radiatia]

Hon RONALD HERZLOS (NLP - Leader): "Mr. Speaker it is not without a sense of irony that I take the accusation of un-Radiatian activity from none other that the leader of the Radiatian Destiny Party. I would laugh but it's too tragic, to see a former President sink so low. I pity the member.

"One of Radiatia's core national values is individualism, which is something that the far right Radiatian Destiny fascists would take away within moments of coming near the government. Indeed they did during the Demodand government and I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to offer the Conservatives a more realistic - and more Radiatian - coalition partner.

"Mr. Speaker I wish to pay my respects to the Most Hon Lena Toriah, who led this nation for 8 years. I disagreed with her policies, as you all surely know. I was amongst those who brought down her government. Afterall, I am not a socialist. I value freedom and sadly my ideas of freedom differed to those of my former colleagues in the United Democrats party.

"However she was an extraordinarily intelligent woman, who was committed to this country. The Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar will never replace her - he's even more of a socialist than she was. And the Most Hon Soden Larssen does have big shoes to fill - she was a tiny woman compared to him in stature, but in politics she was a giant.

"Let me also congratulate Soden Larssen and Bill Alyaha on their election success, and let me convey how I have enjoyed - even in this early stage - working with Mr. Larssen in negotiating NLP's confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative Party.

"I want to thank our loyal NLP supporters and workers - who saw us cross that 5% threshold and gain enough MPs to be able to hold the balance of power, and ensure that the Conservatives didn't have to turn to more toxic coalition partners such as the aforementioned Radiatian Destiny Party.

"On the election night Radiatians voted for change. They voted for an end to the nanny state, and the idea of bureaucrats and politicians telling us what, when, where and how we do things. 25 years after communism, and yet the Radiatia still resembles a police state.

"Maybe that's why our friends in Crata call us a military dictatorship, or a police state. Maybe that's why the World Assembly consistently ranks our civil rights rating as being low.

"The people of the Radiatian Federation voted for a simpler, more efficient tax system, for a lean efficient government. It's who we are - an efficient, individualistic nation. And as such an efficient, individualist-orientated government shall exist to represent them.

"Soden Larssen has done a wonderful job of putting together a government, with strong policies which will achieve the stated goals, and give Radiatians what they have craved for so long. He will make a fine Prime Minister and I have every confidence in him.

"We are pleased to have a government committed to lower taxes, free trade, more individual rights, more freedom of speech and above all, committed to the principles of the freemarket.

"Under Soden Larssen's Conservatives, and with the support of NLP, this government can and will deliver the change that Radiatians have desired for so long. Thank you!"

[Radiatia]

Hon Lukas Matic (Greens - Leader): "Mr. Speaker, the Greens Party has a vision for the Radiatian Federation as being a place where people respect each other, and the natural world around us. We envision a peaceful, healthy and diverse place. We have a vision of nation where virtues such as love and compassion would actually become the stitching on the fabric of our society.

"We believe in individualism, and we believe in respecting people's individual rights through love and understanding, but not through hostility or condemnation. This nation has been far too hostile on the world stage, and we are far too hostile to each other. I share the views of the previous speaker, the Leader of the New Liberal Party when he said that Radiatia's civil rights rating shouldn't be so low.

"It shouldn't. Most of our neighbours are considered the world benchmark for civil rights, and surely that is who we are too? Are we not a nation who is meant to be a light to the world, who is the defender of peace, prosperity and freedom? And yet we, comparatively, haven't the basic civil freedoms enjoyed throughout the rest of the developed world.

"Can we not change? Why is it so difficult for us to become a society in which justice and quality of life are considered more valuable than the individual attainment of wealth? That's not efficient! It's not even logical!

"And this country's definition of justice - something which I will firmly oppose the Conservative government on - is not actually justice. They propose a system in which it is okay to beat, brutlise and barbarise criminals because we follow a knee-jerk reaction in which we consider our desperate citizens to be subhuman.

"Justice is about equity, and equality. In our mad dash to forget the dark days of communism, we have forgotten the values that made us support it in the first place.

"I am not a communist by any stretch. I still believe that a market economy is preferable to a centrally planned one. But I can see the point that the communists make when they say that the poor and the working class are being exploited and extorted by the greedy. And I can see the point they make when they talk of equality.

"So to address the parties in the 7th federal parliament. Firstly, congratulations to the Conservatives. You have overwhelmingly won the support of the Radiatian people, and I hope that you will use that power wisely. Remember that this is a democracy, not an elected dictatorship, and remember that as important as economic growth is, quality of life is the most important thing. I doubt you will remember this, but I live in hope nonetheless.

"To the Workers Party - well done on becoming the second largest party. The Greens Party and the Workers Party have always had a good relationship, and while there are some issues such as defence, justice and the environment, on which we disagree I nevertheless wish you well.

"The United Democrats are a party with whom we had - or I had - an interesting relationship. Traditionally they were the environmentalist party, and I supported and continue to support them on that. But they seemed to abandon that, and they also took on some remarkably social conservative policies during the Toriah Government, which I stand opposed to.

"The NLP, as stated before, is a party who we support on social issues - given that we both share a libertarian element. However I accuse their economic policies of being inconsistent with their goals. You cannot have economic freedom and social freedom - they will cancel each other out. It's one or the other, and that is my concern with the NLP.

"I cannot say anything good about the Radiatian Destiny Party. At all. They have no place in this country. They talk about getting rid of immigrants, well I say why don't we just get rid of them and stick them all on an island somewhere. They have nothing to offer and it's disturbing that they even have seats in parliament.

"Finally to the Communist party, who have gained one seat and returned I say that I sympathise with you, but I feel that your movement needs to modernise. I also fear that you would advocate violence, and class warfare, whereas the Greens advocate peace and nonviolence. That's what I encourage you to do.

"Mr. Speaker, the Greens Party is now larger than the Communists, who were one our largest opposition party. We now control an entire state, and we now have 13 seats in parliament, when previously we had none. The Green movement is rising, Mr. Speaker and as the people of Radiatia awake so too does the simple fact that the Green movement cannot be ignored."

[Radiatia]

Hon Kenzie Essart (Communist - Leader): "I begin by congratulating the government on winning the election. It is amazing to see how the poor and working class of Radiatia have been so readily deceived by the Tories, and yet I congratulate you all the same.

"It's tragic to think that people have voted for Soden Larssen because he serves a working class constitutuency. Do they not know that he is one of the richest men in the country? That he was one of the many dirty opportunists who stole from the workers of our nation to feed himself, to the point of obesity?

"Of course they don't! Last time the Tories were in power, they got rid of the education service. They decided states could do it for themselves. My state, of which I was the Premier, did of course. Tuvea had and has a great education system, thanks to successive left-wing governments, and it's a shame the Tories have come in there too to ruin all the good we did.

"And in the poorer states - because, thanks to capitalism, everyone is poor now, but especially those living in areas that the capitalists can't exploit - in those states there is no education, because the states can't afford it. And this government have decentralised and deregulated and made it so that no one will afford education.

"Interestingly, it is in doing that, in ensuring that people remain uneducated, that the Tories can guarantee people will vote for them - because if people were educated and able to think critically, people would see through the awful, awful policies that the government has to offer.

"Tragicially that is not the case but nevertheless. I stand firmly opposed to this government, and I will oppose any government, and any political party that fails to stand up for the rights of workers, and which continues to feed the rich, bury the poor and see our income divide increase at the exponential rate we are.

"Good luck to the new government, but remember that I am the voice of those you exploit. And I will not be silenced. The people will not be silenced. We will not be silenced!

"We shall reject free enterprise, and once again the left will rise!"

[Radiatia]

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate now be concluded."

A party vote was called for on the question, That the following words be added to the Address: "and it wishes to inform the President that this House has no confidence in the Conservative Government as it plans to take measures which will see the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the total erosion of social mobility."

214 votes FOR: (Workers - 200, Greens - 13, Communist - 1)
440 votes AGAINST: (Conservative - 399, NLP - 41)
156 votes ABSTAIN: (United Democrats - 107, Radiatian Destiny - 59)

Amendment not agreed to.

A party vote was called for on the question, That on the amendment proposed by Luther Mikhailov, the words after "government" be omitted with a view to subsituting the following: "as it intends to open up Radiatia's economy at a time of regional financial uncertainty, making it more likely that Radiatian businesses will be swallowed by foreign competition, and more likely that businesses will begin outsourcing to compete, thus destroying jobs."

107 votes FOR: (United Democrats - 107)
440 votes AGAINST: (Conservative - 399, NLP - 41)
273 votes ABSTAIN: Workers - 200, Radiatian Destiny - 59, Greens - 13, Communist - 1)

Amendment not agreed to

A party vote was called for on the question, That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the President in reply to the President's speech.

440 votes FOR: (Conservatives - 399, NLP - 41)
214 votes AGAINST: (Workers - 200, Greens - 13, Communist - 1)
156 votes ABSTAIN: (United Democrats - 107, Radiatian Destiny - 59)

Address in reply agreed to

Presentation to the President:

Mr. SPEAKER:

"Address from the Federal Parliament

to

His Excellency the President Yerkal Nathus

Your Excellency -

We, the members of the Federal Parliament thank you for the speech addressed to us at the opening of the 7th Federal Parliament.

We assure you that the matters referred to in your speech will receive our careful consideration.

Radiatia Prevails."

A party vote was called for, That the Address be adopted.

440 votes FOR: (Conservatives - 399, NLP - 41)
214 votes AGAINST: (Workers - 200, Greens - 13, Communist - 1)
156 votes ABSTAIN: (United Democrats - 107, Radiatian Destiny - 59)

Address adopted.

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: I move, That Mr Speaker, accompanied by the Mover and Seconder and other members of the House, do present the said Address to His Excellency the President at a place and time to be appointed by His Excellency.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. SPEAKER: "I call the House adjourned."

The Federal Parliament adjourned at 21:38 Xerconia Standard Time.

[Radiatia]

START OF THE DAY:

Mr. SPEAKER took the chair at 14:00.
The Oath of Allegiance was read.

MOTIONS:

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "Mr. Speaker, I seek the leave of the house to move without notice a motion regarding the recent tragedy in Bahamatsu."

Mr. SPEAKER: "Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none."

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I move, That this house note with sorrow the loss of nearly 100 lives and the destruction of livelihoods in the deadly eruption of Mount Krysta in Bahamatsu."

"Mr. Speaker, often we concern ourselves with such mundane affairs that we forget what really matters in life. It takes disasters such as these to remind us the value of life and to remind us how lucky we have it most of the time.

"The idea of an entire town being destroyed, people's businesses, people's entire lives in a single moment is beyond belief. I am sure I am not alone in this house in expressing my heartfelt sorrow."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "I rise to support the motion proposed by the Prime Minister.

"I think that I speak for all on this side of the house in expressing our grief at what has happened and we can only wish that those evacuated are able to rebuild their lives in a quick fashion, and that they will not be abandoned by the government and the rest of society at a time when they need our help the most.

"Mr. Speaker this is about remembering not just our fellow Radiatian, but our fellow people and ensuring that we lend a hand. We must not forget the dead, but it is equally important that we remember the living, who are victims just as much from this disaster."

Motion agreed to.

Mr. SPEAKER: "I ask honourable members to rise with me for a minute of silence as we remember the victims."

Honourable members stood as a mark of respect

[Radiatia]

Question One:
Regarding federal education:

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "To the FEDERAL MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Is there any truth to the rumour that the government intends to cut the federal education budget?"

Rt Hon SERENA NAKAMURA (Federal Minister of Education): "Mr. Speaker the government is considering downsizing the Federal Ministry of Education, but has not yet come to a decision on the matter and therefore cannot confirm nor deny."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov: "Supplementary question. Does the member value social mobility?"

Rt Hon SERENA NAKAMURA: "Mr. Speaker, yes."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov: "How can the Minister reconcile education cuts, and her party's support of privatised education systems, and decentralisation of the education system, with her value of social mobility, given that by having an uneven starting point for our children, not only does it prevent them from being mobile it also contravenes the constitution and the Humanitarian League Charter?"

Rt Hon SERENA NAKAMURA: "Mr. Speaker, I tell the Leader of the Opposition that we have not announced any cuts to the FMoEd and that as such his questions are irelevant."

Hon Keldon Silviu (Workers - Vatfer 10th District): "Is the Minister's inability to confirm whether or not there will be cuts to the education budget indicative of the government's wishy-washy, indecisive style?"

Rt Hon SERENA NAKAMURA: "No. It is indicative that we actually take care in coming to decisions, as opposed to the dictatorial, ill-thought out and kneejerk style of the previous government!"

[Radiatia]

Question Two:
Regarding planned privatisation of state broadcaster:

Hon Val Skeates (Workers - Amentra 26th District): "To the FEDERAL MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS. Does he not believe that privatising our state broadcasters will create a biased media, and if so why?"

Rt Hon BILL ALYAHA (Federal Minister of Internal Affairs): "Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that privatising state broadcasters will cause a bias. For a start, the government will retain a minority share in the company, and secondly there are no plans in the works to repeal any laws binding journalists to be factual and unbiased. If anything, state broadcasters, being the puppets of the government, are more likely to be biased. Just think back to communism."

Hon Val Skeates: "Can the Minister guarantee that the new corporate owners of RPNN, amongst others, will not have a right-wing bias then, given the new interests that they serve?"

Rt Hon BILL ALYAHA: "Yes. There will be no hidden agendas, and to suggest otherwise reeks of paranoia."

[Radiatia]

Question Three:
Regarding the value of the Tsenyen:

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar (United Democrats - Leader): "To the FEDERAL MINISTER OF FINANCE. How will the government be responding to the devaluing of the Tsenyen?"

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN (Prime Minister): "Mr. Speaker, we will be celebrating, as a lower Tsenyen makes our exports more competitive overseas, meaning that foreign consumers are more likely to Buy Radiatian."

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar: "Supplementary question. Does this view not contradict the statement given by the Prime Minister during his previous term as Finance Minister under the Kurt Demodand Government, that 'Radiatia needs a strong currency as we transition to being an imports based economy'."

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "I would say to the Leader of the United Democrats that he had eight years in government in which to rectify any situation that isn't to his liking, and that therefore any of our current financial woes are not the fault of the new government, but of his own economic mismanagement!"

Honourable members: "Ah!"

Mr. SPEAKER: "Order! Order! I need to be able to hear.... would the Workers Party front benches please be quiet? I recognise the Leader of the United Democrats."

Rt Hon Nevan Kaspar: "Supplementary question. If the Prime Minister wishes to have exporters valued, and to encourage foreigners to Buy Radiatian, why is he not encouraging Radiatians to buy local?"

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "Mr. Speaker, because this is a globalised world, and our consumer markets, our retail sector, and our service sector will all suffer if the only products on the market are Radiatian ones. We have to try and think beyond the federation for a while."

Rt Hon Luther Mikhailov (Leader of the Opposition): "What steps is the government planning to take to increase production, given that it is production and not consumption which needs to increase in this nation?"

Most Hon SODEN LARSSEN: "The government intends to cut taxes and further remove restrictions on the private sector. It is the private sector who are most productive, not the government, and as such we, the government, ought to step away from matters which don't concern us."

[Radiatia]

Question Four:
Regarding the volcano in Bahamatsu:

Hon Lukas Matic (Greens - Leader): "To the FEDERAL MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. How has his Ministry been involved in the events in Bahamatsu?"

Rt Hon MARK HAVENER (Federal Minister of Environmental Protection): "The FMoEP was involved in sending geological surveyists to the town of Timorg, Bahamatsu - many of whom did not return. It was equipment funded by the Ministry that served as the first early warning system, which allowed up to evacuate the people that we did before it was too late."

Hon Lukas Matic (Greens - Leader): "Supplementary question. What does the Minister have to say to the statement by the Prime Minister in LET 34 that if elected the Conservatives would 'abolish the Federal Ministry of Environmental Protection by lunchtime'?"

Rt Hon MARK HAVENER: "Several lunchtimes have passed. The FMoEP is still here...."

Hon Members: "Haha!"

Hon Lukas Matic: "Is the Minister not concerned? Would he support such a move?"

Rt Hon MARK HAVENER: "I think the statement was taken out of context and -"

Hon Members: "Oh! Oh!"

Mr. SPEAKER: "ORDER!"

Rt Hon MARK HAVENER: "And it is not environmental protection with which the government has a problem, it is the fact that the FMoEP consists of more administrators than people who actually do any work, and that is what we pledged to get rid of. And yes we considered merging it with the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs but have since deemed it appropriate to let it remain its own ministry."

[Radiatia]

Question Five:
Regarding foreign policy:

Hon Keldon Silviu (Workers - Vatfer 10th District): "To the FEDERAL MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Has the government abandoned its promised 'Sunshine Policy' in the wake of recent hostility with Battlion?"

Rt Hon GREGORI FYODEROV (Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs): "No. The government is still committed to seeking peace and non-aggression with nations abroad, including and especially nations we have unfairly condemned on ideological grounds. These nations include places such as New Edom, Falsea and - especially - Tuthina.

"We have no place judging said nations, and that is what the Sunshine Policy entails. It does not constitute weakness in the face of actions such as those of Battlion."

Hon Keldon Silviu: "Does the Minister not -"

Mr. SPEAKER: "Hold on. The member for Vatfer's 10th district has not sought leave of the Speaker for a supplementary question."

Hon Keldon Silviu: "Sorry Mr. Speaker. Supplementary question. Does the Minister not think he is overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Rt Hon Gregori Fyoderov: "Absolutely not! This is about sending a strong message to those who would mock this nation, and those who not practice wise diplomacy. We seek to leave the world alone, and ask it in return of them."

Hon Derro Vahnsehn (Radiatian Destiny - Leader): "GIven the Minister's claims that he wishes to not have Radiatia mocked by the rest of the world, will he therefore be pulling us out of the Humanitarian League?"

Rt Hon Gregori Fyoderov: "No comment."

Hon Keldon Silviu: "Is the Minister opposed to Radiatia's involvement in the Humanitarian League?"

Rt Hon Gregori Fyoderov: "No comment."

[Radiatia]

NATIONAL SECURITY ACT:
First Reading:

Rt Hon ARKADI PAVLOVIC (Federal Minister of Defence): "I move, That the National Security Act now be read a first time. At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee for consideration.

"Mr. Speaker this bill constitutes the single biggest change to the organisation of our national security since the fall of communism. Prior to now, most matters relating to defence have been grossly inefficient, either coming from Presidential decrees or from bills passed in parliament, but with no communication between parties involved.

"Firstly I pay tribute to the Hon Derro Vahnsehn, who while President decreed into law our existing defence structure, and I honestly look forward to input from that member. I also wish to tribute the previous defence minister, the Rt Hon Feodor Schindler, whose ministerial inquiry will be the basis of many of the changes implemented in this important bill.

"This bill intends to make a number of major changes, but the key goal is to increase communication, increase efficiency and streamline and modernise the command structure of our Armed Forces.

"As it stands we have a fundamental problem in that the President, the Federal Council and the Federal Parliament all claim to hold equal levels of control over our armed forces, and yet there is no communication between these governmental branches. It gets worse. Within our armed forces we have interservice rivalries, we have no communication between the military branches, we have them competing over funding and we have them even refusing to share technologies with one another.

"So there is a huge amount of ground that needs to be covered here.

"I shall attempt to summarise the main points of this bill, um, I'm not going to read every word as the actual document is nearly 100 pages long.

"The first clause of the bill will be to centralise and consolidate power in the hands of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as opposed to the Commanders of the Uniformed Services. There is also to be a joint staff, so as to ensure greater inter-departmental communications.

"The second clause details the creation the National Security Council, an agency which shall legally consist of the President as the Chairperson, the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the Federal Council, the Federal Minister of Defence, Federal Minister of Finance, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of R-SOD and the Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"The third clause will create, alongside the existing agencies, a Department of the Army, Department of the Navy and Department of the Air Force within the FMoD. These departments will be run by a civilian Secretary, who will appointed by the Minister. The three departments will, within them, organise the branches of the armed forces, and the budgets thereof. The RFA and RSEF will become part of the Department of the Army, the RFSF will be part of the Department of the Navy and the RFAF will be part of the Department of the Air Force.

"The fourth clause will ensure that the Joint Chiefs of Staff are actually made into an advisory role, rather than a commanding role. This is to remind the military that they are ruled by the civilians and not the other way around.

"The fifth clause will see the command structure streamlined, with the President, National Security council and Federal Minister of Defence becoming the top of the chain of command. What is significant here is that the Federal Minister of Defence will move into a position in line with that of other countries, and be able to - with the permission of cabinet and Prime Minister - take command of the armed forces, thus making our military more democratic.

"The sixth clause will involve ensuring that from now on declarations of war are to become a cabinet decision, which must have the approval of the Federal Council and President, as opposed to the converse. Parliamentary approval is now essential to declarations of war.

"The seventh clause, which is already an unofficial practice, will give half of the nuclear activation codes to the Prime Minister, while the other half remain in the hands of the President. While essentially the newly created National Security Council will handle such decisions, it is important to our democracy that the Prime Minister be a key player in the commandment of our armed forces, including our nuclear capabilities.

"The eighth clause now requires any officer wishing to attain the rank of Admiral, Field Marshal or Air Marshal must serve a tour of duty in another branch of service.

"The final and most significant clause is the creation of Unified Combatant Commands, which are to consist of multiple branches of the armed forces under a single command, thus integrating the armed forces.

"Mr. Speaker, I wish I could be Crataan about this and pretend we live in a peaceful world without threats but this is grossly untrue. There are some despicable nations out there in the world, and even in our own region there are some who would threaten us.

"Mr. Speaker, the Radiatian Federation has by far the best defence forces in the Humanitarian League. We are now the Permanent Seat on the Defence Council. We are the defender of the Humanitarian League.

"To fully grasp this responsibility we require a restructuring of our armed forces and of our foreign policy. We need to able to act, and quickly, not just in our own interests but in the interests of the region. We are relied upon by our neighbours, to an extent, to commit to the defence of the nation, the federation, the league, and the interests of all those people in between.

"I commend this bill to the house."