Parliament of Nauru >>FAQs

FAQs

 

What is the role of Parliament?

The primary functions of Parliament are to make laws, to represent the people, and to provide scrutiny and oversight of government.

At present, the Constitution does not detail the role of Parliament, except to say that Parliament has the power to makes laws. One of the amendments to the Constitution approved by Parliament in August, which will come into effect on the day of the next general election, is the insertion of a new Article 27A in the Constitution, which sets out in more detail the role of Parliament. The Article reads as follows:

The role and functions of Parliament

27A. (1.) Parliament is elected to represent the people of Nauru and to ensure government by the people under the Constitution. It does this by providing a forum for public consideration of issues, by passing laws and by scrutinising and overseeing executive action.

(2.) When exercising its legislative authority, Parliament is bound only by the Constitution of Nauru, and shall act in accordance with, and within the limits of, the Constitution.

(3.) Parliament shall provide for mechanisms –

(a) to ensure that all executive organs of the government of Nauru are accountable to it; and

(b) to maintain oversight of the exercise of executive authority, including the implementation of laws enacted by Parliament.

(4.) Parliament shall facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other processes such as its committees; conduct its business in an open manner; and hold its sittings in public; provided that reasonable measures may be taken to regulate public access, including access of the media, to Parliament.

You can read about the role of Parliament and its work in more detail under the site headings ‘About Parliament’ and ‘Parliament and the People’.

 

When/how often does Parliament sit?

The Parliament of Nauru does not have a regular schedule of sittings, however Parliament generally sits for at least one day in every month, and usually more frequently.

As soon as sittings of Parliament are announced by government, the dates will appear on the home page of this website under ‘News and Events’. You can click on the announcement of sitting dates to get a copy of the notice paper, which sets out what business is on the agenda for the next sitting.

 

Can I get copies of parliamentary documents?

Yes, you can. All documents that are tabled or discussed in Parliament are public documents, which means that everyone is entitled to access them.

You can find many parliamentary documents on this website, in particular, copies of Bills and Acts, Committee documents, and documents relating to Parliamentary Projects. The website will soon include copies of the transcripts of what is said during Parliament, known as Hansard, as well as transcripts of some Committee proceedings.

If you would like to access any parliamentary documents that you cannot find on this website, please contact us

 

How can I make a submission to a Parliamentary Committee?

Some Parliamentary Committees, such as the Select Committee on Land Issues, are specifically required by their terms of reference to gather input and opinions from the public, and therefore prescribe a process by which the public can make written and/or oral submissions to present their views on a topic. In such cases, the relevant process for making submissions can be found on the Committees page.

Even if a parliamentary committee is not required by its terms of reference to inquire into public opinion on a topic, you can still write to the Chairman of the relevant Committee to express your view and ask that it be taken into consideration. You will find the details of who chairs each of the Committees on the Committees page, and can write to the Chairman through the Clerk or Parliamentary Counsel.

 

How can I make a submission on a Bill?

On the Bills/Acts page, you can find details of which Bills are currently before Parliament, and which Bills are on notice (meaning they will be presented to Parliament in the near future).

In the case of Bills that are already before Parliament, you can download a copy of the Bill, together with its second reading speech and explanatory memorandum, from this website.

If you wish to make a submission on a Bill, you can do so by emailing your submission to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel: parliamentary.counsel@naurugov.nr . Your submission will be forwarded to the Minister responsible for the Bill.

Sometimes government may actively seek public input on a proposed bill or draft bill before it is introduced to Parliament. In such cases, public meetings to discuss the draft or the proposal, and/or the closing date for written submissions on the draft or proposal, will be announced through the media and on the Parliament website under ‘News/Events’, and details of the proposed bill or draft bill will be made available through the same outlets.

 

Basic terminology

You can find simple definitions of many of the special words often used in relation to Parliament, in this Glossary