Welcome
Hon Alanna Therese Clohesy MLC
President of the Legislative Council
Hon Michelle Hopkins Roberts MLA
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
As Presiding Officers of the Parliament of Western Australia and
Joint Presidents of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Western Australia Branch,
we would like to welcome you to join us in Perth or online from 1 to 4 November for the
2021 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Australia and Pacific Regional Conference.
In these challenging times we invite papers and discussion on
Parliaments, people and pandemics
This theme is topical and broad and has been selected to allow participants an opportunity to explore and reflect on various subthemes.
The subthemes listed below are suggestions of topics that might form the basis of papers:
1. Performance of parliaments
• Accountability and Scrutiny of Government - How has your parliament scrutinised the executive branch of government to ensure accountability and transparency of decision-making?
• Technical and Procedural Innovation - What technical or procedural developments has your Parliament established to address pandemics so that members and staff can undertake their work safely and effectively?
• Virtual Parliaments – Can they work and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
• Occupational Health and Wellbeing - What support services have your parliament established to address occupational health and mental wellbeing of members and staff and those who visit the parliamentary estate?
2. People and parliaments
• First Nations Peoples – Sovereignty and representation.
• Addressing behaviour and culture – How has your parliament addressed standards of behaviour and/or culture?
• Gender and representation –
100 years since the first female,
Edith Cowan, was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Western Australia. How has gender and representation changed in your Parliament over the past 100 years?
• Access and outreach – How has your parliament facilitated public engagement with the parliamentary process and democratic values?
• Reflecting the community – How has your parliament reflected the community in its membership and support services?
3. Government responses to the pandemic
• Pandemic responses and First Nations Peoples
• Response to the pandemic – How have your government and key agencies performed?
• National Cabinet – How has the end of COAG affected Federal-State relations in a time of pandemic?
• Public Health Messaging – Vaccine hesitancy and how to overcome it
• Quarantine – Approaches to returning Australians and resumption of international travel, when and how?
registrations and papers
Please register for the conference by
using the button below. Virtual attendance is free for delegates and observers.
Please also advise if you will give a paper when you register.
Abstract submission and final papers are due now.
You can submit the abstract by clicking the button below.
PROGRAM
Professor Colleen Hayward
Professor Colleen Hayward is a senior Noongar woman who has provided significant input to policies and programs on a wide range of issues. Formerly Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Equity and Indigenous at Edith Cowan University, in 2012 Colleen was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame and was recognised as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
Among Colleen's many achievements, she has been recognised for her long-standing work for and on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia by winning the 2008 National NAIDOC Aboriginal Person of the Year Award. In 2006, Colleen was a recipient of the Premier of Western Australia’s prestigious Multicultural Ambassador’s Award for advancing human rights and anti-racism in the community and is the 2009 inductee into the WA Department of Education’s Hall of Fame for Achievement in Aboriginal Education. In 2015, Colleen was awarded one of Murdoch University’s Distinguished Alumni for her work in the areas of Equity and Social Justice.
Papers to be presented by
Joy Burch MLA
Speaker,
ACT Legislative Assembly
"Law in the Time of Corona: Optimising parliamentary functions during long term crises"
Hon Adam Searle MLC
Member
NSW Legislative Council
"The accountability of Government during the COVID-19 Pandemic"
Stephen Twigg
Secretary General
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
"A summary of CPA Operations during the Pandemic"
Hon Sandra Carr MLC
Member
WA Legislative Council
"The empty fruit bowl: The external and internalised obstacles for women in politics"
Senator Sue Lines
Deputy President
Senate
Parliament of Australia
"The time is now: Making our Parliaments safe workplaces"
Hon Ayor
Makur Chuot MLC
Member
WA Legislative Council
"Pandemic responses and CALD Peoples in WA"
Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC
Member
WA Legislative Council
"Education, Events and Engagement. How the Parliament of Western Australian connects to community"
Hon Colin
de Grussa MLC
Member
WA Legislative Council
"Covid and the Regions"
Hon Pierre Yang MLC
Member
WA Legislative Council
"Diversity in Parliament in the last two decades"
Hon Jonathan O'Dea MLA
Speaker
NSW Legislative Assembly
"The new Professional Development Program for Members of NSW Parliament"
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
Acting Chairperson
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
"A summary of CPA Operations during the Pandemic"
Hon Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Speaker
Republic of Fiji Parliament
"Government responses to the Pandemic"
accommodation
In-person delegates will be accommodated at ‘The Melbourne Hotel’. CPA WA also has a limited number of rooms that can be booked if registering as an Observer delegate.
perth and surrounds
If you are coming to Perth, why not take some extra time and have a look around.
click on the photos below for more information
Getting around Perth
The Conference will be held at Parliament House, 4 Harvest Terrace, West Perth. Parliament House is easily accessible by car, bus or foot.
Walking: Parliament House is only a short walk from the heart of the Perth CBD. There are two main thoroughfares to get from the CBD to Parliament House; Hay Street and St Georges Terrace / Malcolm Street. Both roads will lead you west over the freeway from where you will see Parliament House.
Public Transport: Parliament House is only a short bus ride from the Perth CBD. The free Red CAT service can be caught along Hay Street and the free Green CAT service can be caught along St Georges Terrace. The Red CAT service runs every 5 minutes and you should alight at the Parliament stop. The Green CAT service runs every 8 minutes and you should alight at the Malcolm Street / Harvest Terrace stop. CAT routes and stops are available online here.
Taxis: Designated taxi ranks are located around the central city. Perth’s major transport companies include:
- Uber - via app on your phone
- Swan Taxis - 13 13 30
- Black & White Taxis - 13 32 22
Travel from the Airport
Perth Airport is approximately 20km east of the city and has four terminals. You can travel to and from the airport via taxi or public transport. Travel by taxi is recommended.
Transperth bus route 380 runs between Elizabeth Quay Bus Station in the Perth city centre and T1 and T2 terminals. Transperth bus route 40 runs between Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and T3 and T4 terminals. You can plan your journey via the Transperth Journey Planner available online here.
Useful information
Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in Parliament House or within 10 metres of any entrance. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other personal vaporisers for delivery of nicotine or other substances are not permitted to be used in any area where smoking is restricted.
Security: Parliament House Security can be contacted on 08 9222 7411. For in person attendees, a security pass is provided with your name tag.
The pass enables access through internal security doors only. If you leave the building you must reenter through security at Parliament House reception. Please return your security pass to reception when you leave Parliament House on your last day. Lost and found items can be referred to security.
Evacuation procedures: In the unlikely event of an Evacuation Alert or being instructed to evacuate:
1. Assemble as directed by your Host or Fire Warden.
2. When instructed to evacuate, leave by the Fire Stairs/Exits. Do NOT use lifts.
3. Move quietly and calmly to the Assembly Area with your Host or Fire Warden.
Contact Us
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Western Australia Branch is pleased to help you with any questions you might have.
CPA Western Australia Branch
Legislative Council, Parliament House
4 Harvest Terrace, West Perth
Western Australia 6005
Tel: 61 8 9222 7214
Email: cpawa@parliament.wa.gov.au