Proposed 1996 Legislative Calender for National Parliament Health and Development Issues

According to the Alma Alta declaration, the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach works intersectorally to improve the health of the population. Guided by that vision, in 1996 NPPHCN will monitor a wide range of proposed bills from various government departments that may impact the health of the population. Sixty-six pieces of proposed legislation potentially impacting health and development have been forwarded to the National Parliament by the various government departments. This list represents their current, best estimates for the number, content, and timing of their 1996 legislative agenda.

NPPHCN is distributing this list to help other stakeholders and policy makers develop their strategic plans for 1996. This list also should serve as an advocacy tool to inform people if their priority issues are on the national agenda. The list of bills has been divided into three sections: bills that have already been tabled, bills expected to pass before Easter recess, and bills expected to pass after Easter recess but before the end of the session. For more information on any of these bills, we have included a list of parliamentary contact persons for each government department. This summary was compiled from a comprehensive list of all proposed bills submitted to the National Parliament. For information on bills relating to other issues, please contact Mr Kallie Pauw, Head, Legislation and Proceedings Office, National Parliament PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000.

1. BILLS ALREADY TABLED

Twenty bills have already been tabled for consideration for the 1996 session of Parliament. Most of these bills were introduced during last session, but they were not acted on by Parliament. It is anticipated that the various portfolio committees will begin to analyse these bills as soon as Parliament sits on 15 January 1996. Four of these bills could impact health and development.

• Education

  National Education Policy Bill (B 83B - 95)

  Justice

  Youth Commission Bill (B 99 - 95)

  Land Affairs

  Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Bill (B 94 - 95)

  State Expenditure

  Exchequer Bill (B 100 - 95)

2. EXPECTED ADOPTION BEFORE EASTER RECESS 1996

In order to be adopted before the Easter Recess, which begins on 4 April 1996, a bill must be submitted to the State Law Advisers by 30 November 1995 and formally introduced in Parliament by 15 January 1996, the first day of the session. These fourteen bills already should have been accepted by the Cabinet and drafted by the Departments before they can be submitted to the State Law Advisers.

• Agriculture

  Marketing of Agricultural Products Bill

  Home Affairs

  Refugees Bill
  Registration of Births and Deaths

  Housing

  Housing Bill

  Justice

  Commission on Gender Equality Bill
  Legal Aid

  Labour

  Labour Relations A/B

  Mineral and Energy Affairs

  Safety and Health in Mines Bill

  Public Service and Administration

  Public Service

  State Expenditure

  Adjustments Appropriation Bill

  Trade and Industry

  Harmful Business Practices

  Water Affairs and Forestry

  Rationalisation and Amendment of Water Laws

  Welfare and Population Development

  Welfare Laws A/B

  Unknown Department

  Open Democracy Bill (Freedom of Information)

3. BILLS IN PROGRESS (TO BE ADOPTED AFTER EASTER RECESS)

To prevent the tremendous flurry of activity that occurred at the end of the 1995 session, the National Parliament has established target dates for departmental drafting of legislation. These dates are not binding by law, but are meant to serve as a guide to help departments plan their legislative activities. Bills that are approved by the Cabinet by the middle of May 1996 should be forward to the State Law Advisers by 31 May 1996 and introduced into Parliament by 31 July 1996. Bills that are approved by Cabinet during June should be with the State Law Advisers by 30 June 1996 and introduced in Parliament by 31 August 1996. Adherence to this schedule will allow time for full consideration of the bills by the Portfolio Committees and the Full Chamber before the end of the session. Some of these 48 bills may not be enacted during 1996.

• Agriculture

  Co-operatives A/B
  Production Resources Bill
  Livestock Improvement Bill
  Rationalisation of Agriculture Laws Bill

  Constitutional Development and Provincial Affairs

  New Constitution of RSA A/B
  Local Government Transition Act A/B
  Local Government Training A/B
  Bridging legislation to replace Local Government Transition Act
  Local Government Laws A/B

  Education

  National Opening Learning Agency Bill

  Environmental Affairs and Tourism

  Environmental Conservation A/B

  Health

  Abortion Bill
  Sterilisation Bill
  Health Matters Bill
  Medicines and Related Substances Control A/B
  National Health Bill
  Dental Technicians A/B
  Tobacco Products Control A/B (Possible)
  Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works (Possible)
  Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants A/B (Possible)
  Hazardous Substances A/B (Possible)
  Academic Health Service Complexes Bill (Possible)

  Home Affairs

  Electoral A/B
  Identification

  Housing

  Housing Arrangements
  Housing Bill
  Occupation of Property (rent control)
  Occupation of Property (squatting)
  Occupation of Property (slums)

  Labour

  Occupational Health and Safety A/B
  Integration of Labour Laws A/B
  Basic Conditions of Employment and Wage Bill
  Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases
  Human Resources Development and Training Bill

  Land Affairs

  Restitution of Land Rights A/B
  Land Administration A/B
  Rationalisation of Land Matters Bill

  Mineral and Energy Affairs

  Electricity Bill

  Posts and Telecommunication and Broadcasting

  Telecommunications Bill

  Public Service and Administration

  Public Service Labour Relations A/B

  State Expenditure

  Appropriations Bill (Introduction on 13 March 1996)
  Finance Bill

  Trade and Industry

  The National Small Business Bill
  The Small Business Finance Bill

  Transport

  National Road Traffic Bill A/B
  National Land Transport Bill
  Transport General A/B

  Welfare and Population Development

  Child Care A/B

For more information about PHILAW or if you have comments about any of these reports, please email PHILAW@wn.apc.org

Last updated: 14/12/98
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