Hansard of the National Assembly

[ArghNeedAName]

Hansard of the 25th National Assembly
of the United Provinces

President: Malcolm Whitacre
Speaker of the National Assembly: Nicholas Edwardson

Prime Minister: Mark Robinson
Deputy Prime Minister: Michael Barton
Ministers of State: David Gellert and Helen Baker

Party Foremen:
Reformist Party: Maria Henley
Labour Party: Robert Michaelson
Party of Democratic Values: Alan Pillock
Socialist Party: Walter Spencer
Christian Democratic Party: Peter Morgan
Green Party: Caroline Fielder
Free Republic Party: Martin Lubbers

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Distribution of Seats
Coalition (330 seats)
Reformist Party: 148 seats
Party of Democratic Values: 121 seats
Christian Democratic Party: 61 seats

Official Opposition (231 seats)
Labour Party: 128 seats
Socialist Party: 59 seats
Green Party: 44 seats

Crossbench Opposition (39 seats)
Free Republic Party: 34 seats
Callic Unity Party: 3 seats
Independent Reformists: 2 seats

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Robinson I Cabinet
Prime Minister: Mark Robinson (Reformist)
Minister of Finance: David Gellert (PDV, Minister of State)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Michael Barton (Reformist, Deputy Prime Minister)
Minister of the Interior: Helen Baker (CDP, Minister of State)

Minister of Defence: John Berry (PDV)
Minister of Justice: Grant Thomas (CDP, Keeper of the Seals)

Minister of Health: Julia Ferrell (PDV)
Minister of Commerce: Jean-Jacques Burnel (Reformist)
Minister of Employment and Welfare: Ian Blake (PDV)
Minister of Education: Alexander Prestwick (Reformist)
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure: Jason Perkins (PDV)

Minister of Rural Affairs: Peter Morgan (CDP)
Minister of Urban Affairs: Keith Shovasa (PDV)
Minister of the Environment: John Wherry (CDP)
Minister of Energy: Peter Hiorn (Reformist)
Minister of Culture, Media and Tourism: Maria Van Leuven (Reformist)

Chief Secretary to the Treasury: David Lesley (Reformist)
Attorney General: Anthony Crickhowell (Reformist)
Special Minister of Equality and Social Affairs: Ruth Miller (Reformist)
Special Minister of Science and Technology: Anthony Thomas (PDV)

[ArghNeedAName]

State Opening of Parliament
Elections to the 25th Parliament of the United Provinces took place on Thursday 4th October, ANC 192. Verification of the counted results was completed by the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday 8th October.

The 25th Parliament of the United Provinces of ArghNeedAName convened with a joint session in the Debating Chamber at the Palace of Morpork, Borough of Morpork, Ankh Morpork on the 10th October ANC 192 at 10am. His Excellency the President presided over the joint session.

Upon arrival, all 600 deputies and 200 senators took their Oath of Office with the President, then took their seats.

HE M. Whitacre: "I declare the two chambers of the 25th Parliament of ArghNeedAName to be open. Let us stand for the flag and national anthem."

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

HE M. Whitacre: "Let us be seated. I have appointed Mark David Robinson MP to the post of Prime Minister upon the resignation of The Right Honourable Anthony Lawrence Bacon MP, on the premise that Mr. Robinson has succeeded in the formation of an administration which can hold the confidence of the National Assembly. The new administration must now be subject to a vote of confidence."

Assembly Non-Binding Resolution #1 ("Motion to express confidence in the government") was then passed 330-270:
Aye: Reformist Party: 148, PDV: 121, CDP: 61
Nay: Labour Party: 128, Socialist Party: 59, Green Party: 44, Free Republic Party: 34, Defectors: 2
Abstain: CUP: 2
Absent: None

Election of the Speaker
HE M. Whitacre: "As the Dean of the National Assembly - longest-serving member - Martin Walsh, Labour MP for Delacroix, shall preside over election of the Speaker of the National Assembly."

Mr. M. Walsh: "Thank you, Your Excellency. I have recieved three petitions which contained the required 30 signatures to nominate a candidate for the speakership. I confirm the candidates are Nicholas Edwardson, Reformist MP for Millhouse, Jacob Edwin, Labour MP for Sto Lat West and Paul Loxley, Free Republic Party MP for Kixas."

The speaker was then elected via a secret ballot and counted under suprevision of the Dean of the National Assembly.

Mr. M. Walsh: "A total of 573 votes were cast. Out of this, 84 were cast for Loxley, 194 were cast for Edwin and 295 were cast for Edwardson. 287 votes were needed for a majority, which Edwardson surpassed. (applause) On the basis of these results, I declare that Nicholas Edwardson is duly elected Speaker of the 25th National Assembly. (further applause)"

Mr. M. Walsh: "Could Mr. Edwardson please come forward to take the Oath of the Speakership?"

Mr. N. Edwardson came forward to the lectern and swore on the Bible.

Mr. N. Edwardson: "I, Nicholas Matthew Edwardson, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially execute my duties as Speaker of the National Assembly, and will to the best of my ability to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of ArghNeedAName and the reputation and integrity of the National Assembly. This I promise." (applause)

[ArghNeedAName]

Appointment of Deputy Speakers
Mr. N. Edwardson: "Furthermore, I appoint Jacob Edwin and Paul Loxley as Deputy Speakers of the National Assembly and call a vote to be held in order to confirm the appointment."

Assembly Appointments Resolution #1 ("Motion to confirm appointment of Deputy Speakers") was then passed 600-0:
Aye: All parties: 600
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None

Mr. M. Walsh: "Could Messrs. J Edwin and P. Loxley come forward to take the Oath of the Deputy Speakership?"

Messrs. J. Edwin and P. Loxley then came forward to the lectern and swore on the Bible.

Mr. J. Edwin: "I, Jacob Howard Edwin, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially execute the duties as Acting Speaker ofthe National Assembly in the absence of the Speaker."

Mr. P. Loxley: "I, Paul Ronald Loxley, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially execute the duties as Acting Speaker ofthe National Assembly in the absence of the Speaker." (applause)

Dragging of the Speaker
Mr. M. Walsh: "The Speaker shall now be dragged to his chair."

The Deputy Speakers and the Sergeant-at-Arms then led the Speaker from the lectern to the Speaker's Chair.

Mr. Speaker: "I thank everyone for your support in my bid for election to the speakership. Although I do not plan to resign from the Reformist Party, which I have been loyal to throughout my 30-year career in the National Assembly, I promise to be a fair and impartial judge over all debate, no matter how heated."

HE M. Whitacre: "Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your successful election to post of Speaker of the National Assembly. I am confident that you will serve your duties well in presiding over debate and representing the National Assembly."

TRH M. Robinson: "As the Prime Minister of the United Provinces I would like to offer my congratulations on behalf of the government. Mr. Edwardson has been a longstanding and loyal member of the Reformist Party, he served as a successful prime minister and has continued to represent his district tens years since leaving Merstham Manor. The speakership is a job we entrust only to respected and experienced statesman and we believe Mr. Edwardson is perfect for the role."

TRH R. Michaelson: "On behalf of the official opposition to the coalition, I would also like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Edwardson on his election. We have full confidence that Mr. Edwardson will carry out the duties of the speakership fairly and effectively during the many confrontations I shall have with the Prime Minister at the dispatch boxes. I wish you well in your role Speaker of the 25th Assembly."

Mr. Speaker: "I thank you very much." (applause)

HE M. Whitacre: "The joint session shall now be adjourned."

The joint session was adjourned for lunch.

[ArghNeedAName]

Committee Asignments
The National Assembly reconvened on the 11th October with the Speaker taking the chair at 10am. The Oath of Allegience was read.

Mr. Speaker: "The Assembly shall now appoint members to the parliamentary committees, with a toal of 450 seats to be assigned.

The procedure should be familiar; the coalition parties go first in claiming seats, with the largest coalition party claiming first. Then the opposition parties claim seats, with the largest opposition party claiming frist. Thus in order the parties will make their claims will be Reformists (112), PDV (91), CDP (45), Labour (96), Socialists (44), Greens (33), FRP (26), CUP (2) and Independent Reformists (1). The party foreman is responsible for making the committee claims."

The parties then claimed their committee seats in the order designated above. The coalition parties claimed a majority of seats in each commitee.

Mr. Speaker: "The foreman of each party should submit to this chair a list of individuals they have appointed to fill their claimed seats. We shall now proceed to the first session of Prime Minister's Questions."

[ArghNeedAName]

Oral Questions to the Prime Minister

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Number one, Prime Minister."

TRH M. Robinson: "This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this Assembly I shall have further such meetings later today."

Mr. Speaker: "The leader of the official opposition shall ask four questions."

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Mr. Speaker, let us begin our first ever Question Time session by asking the Prime Minister a question the entire population of ArghNeedAName - including over four million Muslims - are dying to know the answer to. For what reason has the Prime Minister chosen to collaborate with a far-right and racist party for political gain?"

TRH M. Robinson: "Of course, it is ironic that the right honourable gentleman who is now criticising us for forming a government with the PDV was the man who could have stopped it from being necessary in the first place! For days we held out an offer to the Labour Party - we kept pushing the formation of an Armenian Coalition. Yet this genetlemen kept rejecting the proposal and insisted it would have to be the Greens, even though this coalition would have held less seats and we don't even know what the Green Party's platform is! Perhaps if he wans to criticise my choice of coalition partners, he should criticise his choice to not be a coalition partner!" (cheering and jeering)

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Does the Prime Minister share the views on Islam that his newly-appointed finance minister holds?" (jeering)

TRH M. Robinson: "Mr. Speaker, I've been repetitively been badgered by the Leader of the Opposition over this. Before the election, he was constantly telling me that I should not discriminate against the religious views of anyone when I make executive appointments. Well I am pleased to announce that I did not discriminate against David Gellert's religious views when I made him my finance minister even though I don't hold them myself. (laughter) Is he happy now? Or is he going to do another U-turn?" (laughter and applause)

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Is the Prime Minister perturbed by the fact that two of his MPs have just defected from his party - Mr. Erdinc Sanc [Defector - Ankh Morpork VI] and Mr. Tarek al-Wazir [Defector - Quirmland], thus whittling down the coalition's majority from 64 to 60 seats within the first few days?" (laughter)

TRH M. Robinson: "As Leader of the Reformist Party I am in fact reasonably satisfied that my party has six more seats than it did two weeks ago, whereas the Labour Party have lost fourty-four seats during that same time period under Michaelson's leadership! (laughter) In fact, Labour managed to win seven seats more than the PDV which he so frequently criticises!" (cheering and jeering)

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Mr. Speaker, this is my last question to the Prime Minister; will the government pursue policies suggested by the PDV such as banning the construction of minarets and closing down Muslim faith schools?"

TRH M. Robinson: "Obviously the leader of the opposition has taken very little time to read the coalition agreement because he would have otherwise noticed quite clearly that no such measures are on the agenda - in fact we quite clearly stated that we don't plan any regulations on peaceful worship. (laughter) Obviously he is new to his job (laughter and jeering) so he shouldn't worry. All beginners make mistakes." (cheering and jeering)

[ArghNeedAName]

Mr. Speaker: "Order! Or...Order? The acting leader of the Green Party is entitled to two questions."

Mrs. C. Fielder: "Mr. Speaker, the Green Party is greatly concerned by the decision of the coalition, when drafting their coalition accord, to shun green energy build 4 new nuclear power stations, including one in Bornia. Does the prime minister think this is a good idea, given that a Chernobyl-sized disaster would make an area home to quarter of a million people uninhabitable?" (jeering)

TRH M. Robinson: "Well, I am delighted to announce that in our commitment to combat climate change, we're planning to build a few power stations which emit no carbon whatsoever! Happy now? (laughter) It strikes me as rather odd that the honourable lady's party is so strongly opposed to nuclear power given that nuclear power is the most efficient carbon-free method of generating power. Whilst the coalition plans to build a few more of their beloved wind turbines (laughter) we will end the "pork energy" era of the Bacon cabinets!"

Mrs. C. Fielder: "For a supplementary question, we would like to ask the prime minister that if the coalition is so dedicated to keeping government spending over control, why is the military budget that accounts for 8% of government expenditures planned to go largely untouched? Surely money spent on guns and warships could be better spent on things like education and hospitals?" (cheering)

Mr. Speaker: "I am afraid you have just asked two questions."

Mrs. C. Fielder: "Mr. Speaker, you are aware that the second question was a rhetorical question?" (gasping)

Mr Speaker: "Parliamentary guidelines state that a rhetorical question is still a question. (laughter) By all means you may say it but the Prime Minister is not obliged to answer the second question."

TRH M. Robinson: "For the same reason Robert Michaelson told you during the second debate of our election campaign; we want to avoid major military cutbacks in order to maintain our alliance with Radiatia. There can be no higher priority than deterring outside threats through strong alliances (applause) - this is of even higher importance ultimately than the economy, though this is where the government's attention will be mainly focussed. My point is, by keeping a military, we are not 'threatening peace' as you stated during your recent party congress, but we are securing peace." (cheering)

Mr. Speaker: "The leader of the Socialist Party is entitled to two questions."

Mr. W. Spencer: "As a supplementary question, I'd like to ask how long does the prime minister intend his alliance with the neo-fascist party to last for?"

Unknown Heckler: "Rather the PDV than commies!"

TRH. M. Robinson: "Ironic that the Socialist Party should say this, remembering of course the fate of Bacon II. (laughter) So yes, my intention is that the cabinet will last longer than Bacon II." (laughter and jeering)

Mr. W. Spencer: "My supplementary question concerns another threat to ordinary ArghNeedANamers. At a time when unemployment is at 6%, why is the coalition now planning to take benefits away at a time when we need them the most? We suspect the prime minister views the welfare state as a fair-weather friend."

TRH M. Robinson: "I'd have thought that was bloody obvious. Haven't you been listening to what I've been saying in every single debate during the election campaign? (laughter) The deficit is now over 5% of our GDP and it will be 6% within a year if dramatic action isn't taken. Borrowing and debt reached record levels under the Bacon III cabinet, with the debt now over 80% of our GDP. Note that this was without the Socialist Party. Had the Socialist Party been part of this government, then the figure would undoubtably be higher. (laughter). Although given the Socialist Party's track record in governments, the last election would have occurred earlier." (cheering and jeering)

Mr. Speaker: "The leader of the Free Republic Party is entitled to two questions."

Mr. M. Lubbers: "My first question to the prime minister - has the Reformist Party given up on balanced budgets? We note that in the past the Reformist Party always aimed for a balanced budget, yet now they are actually planning to run a deficit! And this is with the national debt a record levels, so one can only wonder if the Reformists are getting soft." (laughter)

TRH M. Robinson: "Neither the Reformist Party nor the coalition are bound by the idealogical constraints that the Free Republicans keep trapping themselves in. (laughter) Borrowing will help provide capital needed to drive our recovery and once appropriate austerity measures are implemented, the deficit will not be threatening our standing amongst investors." (applause and booing)

Unknown Heckler: "Party of the rich! Party of the rich!"

Mr. M. Lubbers: "Currently, the basic tax rate is 28% while the highest tax rate is 55%. The coalition have pledged to reduce the former tax rate while planning no tax cuts for the highest tax rate, thus increasing the inequality of the tax rate. Why does the Prime Minister support a tax rate which is biased against the wealthiest and most successful businessmen in our country?" (jeering)

TRH M. Robinson: "Mr. Speaker, the crossbench opposition's reaction to our tax policies strikes us as being odd. We plan tax cuts and decisive deficit reduction, all of which my predecessor opposed, hence the fact our economic growth has faltered and our debt has rocketted. I'd have thought that tax cuts for the majority of the population would have been right up his alley - (laughter and gasping) - what? What's so funny? I said..."

Mr. Speaker: Order! Or...or-order!

TRH M. Robinson: "I don't know what that was about, but anyway, we are quite surprised by the fact that our tax proposals are being met with outright opposition rather than limited support. It only goes to vindicate my decision not to include you in the coalition." (cheering)

[ArghNeedAName]

Mr. Speaker: "This shall be followed by ten questions from the backbenches."

Mr. J. Cornwall: [PDV - Quirmland II] "Mr. Speaker, my constituency has one of the highest foreign-born populations of any constituency outside a major city. (booing and jeering) The influx of foreign workers has made it very difficult for the native population to find jobs in a region which is already starved of jobs. Can the Prime Minister ensure us that the coalition will take the decisive action demanded by the PDV in order to end the era of free-for-all immigration of the Bacon Cabinets?"

TRH M. Robinson: "The government can assure that appropriate measures are being taking to protect the jobs of ArghNeedANamic workers. (cheering) I join you in agreeing that this is indeed an issue that the Bacon Cabinet failed to address."

Mr. M. Humtovsky: [Labour - Malvornia III] "It has not gone unnoticed among us that the coalition accord plans to restrict the ability of trade unions to organise strikes. May I ask, how much did Carlton Automotive pay you to get you to engage in further union-bashing?" (laughter and jeering)

TRH M. Robinson: "The plan is to introduce a rule that not only must the majority of workers vote for a strike on the ballot, but at least 20% of registered workers should vote in favour of the strike. (cheering and booing) Last year, we had the incident of a border guard's strike where the ballot had a turnout of just 30%, and turnout was even lower in the railway strike before that. These strikes can hardly be considered to have mandates and popular support."

Mr. S. Kirkpatrick: [Socialist - Chirmland] "WITH OUR FASCIST PRIME MINISTER NOW IN BED WITH PEROXIDE GELLERT AND HIS NATIONAL FRONT, HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO BE UNTIL THE PRIME MINISTER OUTLAWS ELECTIONS AND TURNS ARGHNEEDANAME INTO A FASCIST POLICE STATE???" (nervous laughter)

TRH M. Robinson: "Mr. Speaker, I note that every time Mr. Kirkpatrick asks a question while in opposition, he always asks whether the prime minister is going to outlaw elections. (laughter) To think that this man ever led the Socialist Party - twice!" (jeering)

Mrs. L. Warnham: [Reformist - Skundland XI] "My question to the Prime Minister - first of all I would like to congratulate him on his successful election victory in a fairly close contest and the successful government formation (cheering and applause) - two-thirds of the land area of my district is a designated 'Area of Natural Beauty' and this provides a major source of tourism. The tourist industry in fact contributes to nearly a quarter of the economy..."

Mr. Speaker: "Madam, please ask the question."

Mrs. L. Warnham: "...can the Prime Minister please assure us that the Bacon Cabinet's plan to build unsightly and expensive wind turbines there will be cancelled."

TRH M. Robinson: "The coalition is undertaking a scaling down of renewable energy projects. There will be no wind turbines built in areas of natural beauty. Most new wind turbines will be offshore." (cheering)

Mr. M. Çelik: [Labour - Helitia VIII] "My question to the prime minister quite predictably involves the recent coalition formation. (laughter) Originally you stated that you would only be willing to have a supply and confidence agreement with the PDV - not a coalition. Did you change your mind because you discovered the PDV's policies were so much closer to you than you thought?"

TRH M. Robinson: "I said that nearly two years ago. I have not made any U-turns, only some very controversial decisions."

Mr. M. Çelik: "I'd like to praise your willingness to take controversial decisions - in fact, don't Colin Townsend and Anatoliy Dvorkovich also deserve praise for taking controversial decisions? They're very heroic aren't they?" (laughter)

Mr. Speaker: I'm afraid you are not entitled to any more questions and the prime minister is not obliged to answer any of the questions you have just asked him."

TRH M. Robinson: "Thank you Mr. Speaker."

Mr. G. Woodham: [PDV - Ankh Morpork] "Does the Prime Minister agree with us that it is quite ironic that the opposition Labour Party claims in their constitution to 'represent the interests of the workers of ArghNeedAName' and yet opposes reducing immigration?" (cheering and jeering)

TRH M. Robinson: "Arguably it is true, and probably a key factor in the fact that Labour were nearly overtaken by the PDV in the election." (laughter and jeering)

Mr. S. Bonham: [Green - Kixas] "As he joins the PDV's crusade against wind turbines, is the prime minister willing to visit Rosenham - my home town - where a thousand jobs have been created by the construction of a "R-Power" wind turbine factory?"

TRH M. Robinson: "We would indeed like to congratulate the Reformist-led provincial government and Governor David Fisher for cutting the cooperate tax rates for Kixas. My understanding is that this was a key factor in R-Power's decision to build the factory there." (laughter)

Mr. C. Lindner: [Reformist - Whitacre V] "Will the Prime Minister assure me that before any decision is taken to extract shale gas from within my district and province that there will be both a public consultation and the establishment of an independent body to co-ordinate a gold standard of regulation so that the environment is never compromised?

TRH M. Robinson: "As the honourable gentlemen is aware, the Bacon Cabinet suspended fracking operations while we study the minor tremors that occurred in Rexford last year. The Ministry of the Environment and the Federal Geological Survey Institute are producing a full independent review into the risks of fracking and I can assure that any future shale gas production would have to meet carefully-defined safety requirements."

Mrs. K. Cox: [Labour - Kixas XXII] "Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the prime minister about what the coalitions plans are to improve women's rights. Given that minority rights are destined to take a setback, we don't have high hopes for women's rights."

TRH M. Robinson: "I would like to reassure the honourable lady that there are no misogynists in our government because I would never allow them to in our government. We shall continue the same policies of the previous government in ensuring everyone has an equal oppertunity to succeed." (applause)

Mr. M. Thompson: [CDP - Kindare XI] "The prime minister has spoken and continued to speak negatively about the Bacon cabinets, including Bacon III, in which the Christian Democratic Party was a coalition partner. Can the prime minister assure us that these criticisms are directed at us?"

TRH M. Robinson: "Certainly. Despite our initial displeasure with the decision, it appears that the Christian Democratic Party made a took a reasonable course of action and helped act as a barrier on the tendencies of the Labour and Green parties to overspend and embark on ambitious social agendas. We do not blame your party for any of Bacon's many mistakes. Thank you for your questions."

Mr. M. Lubbers: "Mr. Speaker, this is an outrage. None of our backbenchers were invited to ask a question." (laughter)

Mr. Speaker: "Deputies are invited to pose questions at random and therefore there is no guarentee of each party getting a question. I now declare the National Assembly to be adjourned for lunch."

The National Assembly adjourned.

[ArghNeedAName]

First Reading of the World Assembly Referendum Bill
The National Assembly reconvened on the 11th October with the Speaker taking the chair at 10am. The Oath of Allegience was read.

Mr. Speaker: "The Foreign Minister is invited to read the World Assembly Referendum Bill."

TRH M. Barton: [Reformist - Hoelland II] "Thank you Mr. Speaker. The purpose of this bill is to initiate a referendum on whether ArghNeedAName should remain in or leave the World Assembly. The referendum is scheduled for the first Thursday of April in the year ANC 195."

"It should be clear that I personally, along with the prime minister, do not support withdrawal from the World Assembly. We both believe it is in our greatest interest to remain in the World Assembly. The World Assembly provides us a platform where we can voice our opinion and advance our national interests on the world stage. It is a unique platform for diplomatic, trade and military cooperation. Most regulations passed by the World Assembly has affected us little - though I don't approve of all the legislation which gets passed there. Therefore, the prime minister and I will be supporting the pro-WA campaign in the referendum. However, our ministers and deputies will have free reign over which campaign to support."

"The referendum is being introduced as a concession to the PDV who campaigned for World Assembly withdrawal, which neither the Reformist nor Christian Democratic parties support. However, we plan to resolve the issue with a democratic vote. I commend this bill to the National Assembly for consideration."

[ArghNeedAName]

Mr. R. Michaelson: "The official opposition are united in their opposition to this bill. Our WA membership is beneficial to us; where else can we have full contact with every nation in the NSverse? We also commend the World Assembly for their role in advancing sentient rights, freedom and equality. Now the World Assembly can't get everything right, but most of their policies are common sense, such as a recent General Assembly resolution to prevent child abuse. Now obviously it is apparent that the Foreign Minister agrees with this, but evidently he lacks conviction and gave in too easily to the Finance Minister, even though this has nothing to do with finance."

TRH M. Barton: "We expect the referendum result will be continued membership, given that the two largest parties are both supporting it. But we will hold one; it seems reasonable that now is a time to evaluate our World Assembly membership. You also say that Mr. Gellert is our finance minister but he is also the leader of the second-largest party in the coalition."

Mr. J. Kelly: [Green - Malvornia] "So the Foreign Minister has admitted that this proposal is simply pandering to the PDV? Is that how valuable you consider our World Assembly membership to be? This coalition's foreign policy will be flawed from the start. It will be unilateral, self-righteous and promoting of militarisation of the Noctur region! The government must persue diplomacy!" (cheering)

TRH M. Barton: "Of course we're 'pandering to the PDV'. We 'pander' to the PDV just like the Labour party 'pandered' to the Green party by building wind turbines!" (laughter)

Mrs. S. Green: "The Free Republic Party would like to lend their support to this proposal. We believe the World Assembly should have no right to legislate for our country. After all, we obey their laws, but there are tin-pot dictatorships in the World Assembly who don't! Why should we be forced to comply?" (cheering)

TRH M. Barton: "I thank the crossbench opposition for their support."

Mr. Speaker: "The government has declared their support for the bill. We shall now schedule a second reading."

[ArghNeedAName]

Second Reading of the Immigration Reform Bill
TRH H. Baker: [CDP - Kindare I] "Mr Speaker, as Minister of the Interior my responsibilities include immigration and border control. It is therefore my role to introduce the Immigration Reform Bill. The plans will reduce fover 1,000 pages of work permit laws down to 60, and reduce immigration by 30%.

Our recent election results showed that our population had grown frustrated by Bacon's refusal to introduce measures to protect worker's jobs, someone I constantly pushed for. While Bacon was in office, nearly 4 million immigrants entered our country. Many more have entered beforehand ever since Gurr removed many work visa restriction. The effect of immigration on our society has been profound. Our worker's are struggling We will not repeat the mistakes of Nick Edwardson, who promised to tackle immigration but delayed it until too late. We will begin tackling the issue upfront, straight away.

The current system of having immigration laws for each region is messy and fragmented. Having immigration laws for every region ignores the social and economic differences of countries within the region. For example, our immigration laws for countries in Esquarium are the same, despite the fact that most immigrants from Iglesian Archipelago are white collar workers, while most immigrants from Luziyca are manual workers and refugees.

No matter what region they come from, this bill will ensure all immigrants who apply for work permit laws are greeted with the same system. For starters, all applicants for a work visa must be at least competent in the English language, have a field of work they wish to apply to work in and be no more than 50 years of age. This obvious does not reply to retirement visas.

A point-scoring system is then used for remaining applications. There are many positive qualities of prospective migrant workers which will earn them "points". Points can be awarded for educational qualifications, young age, English proficiency, family in ArghNeedAName and a history of studying or working in ArghNeedAName.

In addition, all countries will be divided into four classes. Class A countries are our closest allies and therefore the points scoring system will limit very few applications from them. Class B countries are countries which we enjoy good relations with while most other countries will go into Class C. Class D will mean that no work visas will be offered to that country due to strained relations.

This Bill will not affect students, pensioners, political exiles, assylum seekers or existing work experience programs. Existing immigration laws will exist, for now. I commend this bill to the house."

[ArghNeedAName]

TRH D. Gellert: [PDV - Latatia VI] "Mr Speaker, whilst the Bill does not go far enough to introduce the correct measures required in order to protect the jobs of ArghNeedANamic workers, this bill is a good start nonetheless. The Party of Democratic Values is less concerned by immigration of skilled workers than by the far greater influx of unskilled workers who put our own working class out of work.

In the past ten years, Labour betrayed their voters. Labour was created over a century ago in order to represent the needs of the ArghNeedANamic working class. Today, they represent the needs of our non-ArghNeedANamic working class. It was Labour who opened the sluice gates to immigration and forced us to adopt the doctrine of "multiculturalism". It is no secret that unlike our breakthrough four years ago, much of the PDV's new-found support in the last election - which took us to win nearly twenty percent of the vote - came from Labour, not the Reformists.

With Labour now dislodged from power, the coalition will now work to prevent further damage to be done. I would suggest that to maximise the effectiveness of this bill, three admendments should be adopted. Firstly, all Muslim-majority countries should be classified as band D..."

The proceedings were then interrupted by Mr. O. Yilduz: [Labour - Kixas], who threw a shoe at Mr. Gellert and shouted "I hope that hurt, peroxide boy!" Mr. Gellert was struck on the shoulder by the shoe and suffered bruising. A general commotion ensued as Mr. Yilduz was identified as the perpetrator.

Mr Speaker: "Order! Or...Or...Order? Order! Mr. Yilduz has assaulted a member of the National Assembly. He will be escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms and may face criminal prosecution for his actions."

The Sergeant-at-Arms escorted Mr. Yilduz out of the chamber.

TRH D. Gellert: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, we want a moratorium on visas for Muslim-majority countries and a few other nationalities as well in order to prevent the continuing build-up of immigrant "communities" who have evaded integration into our society. We're talking about neighbourhoods of big cities where no-one speaks English, schools are overloaded due to high birth rates and crime is very high."

[ArghNeedAName]

TRH D. Gellert: "Secondly, provinces should lose their power to grant amnesties for illegal immigrants. Labour-controlled provinces have been using this power willy-nilly. Maybe you feel sympathetic to these poor oppressed people? The fact is, if you give amnesty to illegal immigrants, it just encourages more to come over because they know that sooner all later, a sufficiently empathetic provincial government will give them amnesty. Finally, there should be a moratorium on the granting of new citizenships, to send a clear message that our nation is not in the mood for mass settlements." (nervous applause)

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Mr. Gellert, I apologise for the disorderly behaviour of one of our backbenchers. No matter how strongly anyone feels about this issue, there is never an excuse for hurting a fellow MP."

TRH D. Gellert: "It was actually a pretty good throw. Mr. Yilduz would have been better off deliberately missing. He'd still be thrown out, but at least he wouldn't have broken the law."

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Doubtless the papers will report quite heavily on this incident. Let us not distract from the central debate on immigration.

It is my hope that none of the three suggestions put forward by Mr. Gellert are added to the bill. The existing bill will suffocate economic growth, as Mr. Spencer and I made it clear during the first reading. But these amendments are worse. Firstly, the suggestion that immigration from countries should be stopped because the people have a religion that the PDV finds to be undesirable is the most blatant racism I've seen from a party that has institutionalised racism well and truly in ArghNeedANamic politics..."

TRH D. Gellert: "There is nothing racist about our opposition to Labour's longstanding policy of free-for-all immigration! Our success is your party's failure. You have failed your voters, betrayed them!"

Mr. R. Michaelson: "...and for a party that promises 'power to the provinces' it seems particularly surprising and hypocritical that you want to take powers away regarding immigration. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, what kind of party does he think he's running if he suggests that!"

TRH. D Gellert: "Under Bacon, you and his government let in nearly five million foreigners and told your voters that anyone who opposed you was a racist, a white supremacist, a National Front supporter! They've had enough of being lied to and treated like idiots, Mr. Michaelson! Last election was a case of chickens coming home to roost!"

Mr. R. Michaelson: "...A bit evasive isn't he? I just asked him about his attitude to provincial government but evidently it was too tricky for him."

TRH D. Gellert: "I am not being evasive. You didn't let me finish. The constitution states that the federal government has complete control over immigration unless its devolved. We want to return the powers provinces are supposed to have to them.

Mr. R. Michaelson: "Your suggestion to block granting of new citizenships for five years will leave millions of immigrants as second class citizens, unable to vote or gain full education and healthcare rights. Unable to contribute to our society. Powerless, sidelined, unwanted."

TRH D. Gellert: "Oh those poor bloody people! Oppressed because they have a job, and if they don't have a job they have benefits just like anyone else. Because they have freedom of speech, freedom of religion and live in a law-governed state? They have their religions protect from being ridiculed in cartoons and comedy shows by political correctness, which is not something we have! Citizens of our nation don't. George O'Brien, whom I admire, always said that the needs of citizens - natural-born or not - come first."

TRH. H. Baker: "The government does plan to adopt any amendments to the second reading. Amendments may however be adopted in the committee stage."

Mr. M. Lubbers: "Mr. Speaker, what we are seeing here is the most barmy policy of a cabinet which claims to be making the government smaller, yet is restricting immigration. We need skilled and talented workers! Our businesses need to have access to the workers they need in order to restart the economy."

TRH H. Baker: "On the contrary Mr. Lubbers, the very purpose of this bill is to limit immigration to the skilled and talented."

TRH D. Gellert: "If businesses are short of workers, then they're blind, we've got millions of job seekers. Unemployment is the highest it's been in 20 years!"

Immigration Reform Act was then passed 321-250:
Aye: Reformists: 140, PDV: 121, CDP: 57, CUP: 2, Defectors: 1
Nay: Labour: 124, Socialist: 56, Greens: 42, FRP: 28
Abstain: FRP: 4, Defectors: 1
Absent: Reformists: 8, Labour: 4, CDP: 4, Socialist: 3, Greens: 2, FRP: 2