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Bill: Comprehensive Devolution Act
Details
Submitted by[?]: Regionalist Coalition
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: July 4063
Description[?]:
| An Act to devolve powers to States and local government over matters better managed by administrations with local awareness and knowledge Section 1 (Articles 1&2) concerns political and legal matters; Section 2 (Articles 3-5) concerns cultural matters; Section 3 (Articles 6&7) concerns infrastructure; and Section 4 (Article 8) concerns environmental matters. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change The appointment of mayors.
Old value:: Citizens elect their mayor directly in a local election.
Current: Local governments determine the method of appointment.
Proposed: Local governments determine the method of appointment.
Article 2
Proposal[?] to change The government's position towards the administration of law.
Old value:: There are regional courts, but decisions of regional courts may be appealed to national courts (if the right to appeal exists).
Current: There are regional courts, but decisions of regional courts may be appealed to national courts (if the right to appeal exists).
Proposed: There are regional courts that have jurisdiction over questions of regional law and national courts that have jurisdiction over questions of national law.
Article 3
Proposal[?] to change Art subsidies
Old value:: The government subsidises artistic institutions such as art schools and galleries, but does not subsidise individual artists.
Current: The government subsidises artistic institutions such as art schools and galleries, but does not subsidise individual artists.
Proposed: The subsidisation of art is left to local governments.
Article 4
Proposal[?] to change National, cultural and historic sites and monuments.
Old value:: The state actively protects scenery, localities, cultural, and historical sites; it maintains an agency to preserve them untouched if public interest so requires.
Current: The state actively protects scenery, localities, cultural, and historical sites; it maintains an agency to preserve them untouched if public interest so requires.
Proposed: This matter is left up to the local governments.
Article 5
Proposal[?] to change The government's policy concerning museum funding.
Old value:: The national government maintains a system of museums nationwide.
Current: The government gives monetary grants to organizations which have established or are looking to establish museums.
Proposed: The national government provides local governments with the funding to operate museums.
Article 6
Proposal[?] to change Public works initiatives
Old value:: The government funds a program to build public works.
Current: The government contracts with private corporations to build public works.
Proposed: Public works projects are left to local governments.
Article 7
Proposal[?] to change Government policy on the nation's power grid.
Old value:: The national grid is fully owned by the state.
Current: The national grid is fully owned by the state.
Proposed: Each region owns and maintains its own power grid.
Article 8
Proposal[?] to change Forest management.
Old value:: There is a national agency which owns and manages all forest land.
Current: There is a national agency which exists side-by-side with commercial forestry companies.
Proposed: Local governments may set up forestry agencies. Where they do not, forestry is on a commercial basis.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 18:38:15, July 21, 2016 CET | From | Regionalist Coalition | To | Debating the Comprehensive Devolution Act |
| Message | Madam Speaker, Today we, the New Liberal Party, present a Bill we hope will bring much needed devolution of powers to our States and more local government. We are federal republic, and as such we should taking action to ensure federalism is implemented up and down our nation. As national politicians we can only know so much about the vast areas we serve. So we should be humble, and recognise where our power should rightfully end, and where local representatives should take charge of matters. So, Madam Speaker, if I may being with Article 1 of this Bill. Current law mandates that all Mayor must be directly elected. However, let us be aware that many different municipalities have different priorities, systems and demographics. A directly elected Mayor may not be appropriate for all municipalities, which is why we propose that local government determine the method of appointment for the highest ranking municipal office. Be it direct election, election by the council, or performance of mayoral duties by the council; we believe that it is right the people who know the area best choose what is right for their community. Article 2 concerns regional courts. As legislation currently stands, regional courts may be overruled by national courts, even in cases pertaining to regional law. We contest that it is not right that national-level courts are essentially given a veto over regional laws and juries. We are a federal republic and we must respect the sovereignty of our States when it comes to their laws. This is a well needed withdrawal of national-level interference in matters which are not of their concern. With regard to Section 2 of this Bill (Articles 3 to 5), I wish to speak generally, so as I do not waste undue time. These Articles propose devolution of control over cultural affairs to local governments, because we recognise that there are cultural differences between our individual regions. From the beautiful beaches of the Bailon islands to the exquisitely iridescent sight of an sunset in Iker Ado, we may share some common history, but we are unique also. Let us recognise that uniqueness and allow regional identity to thrive. Alas, we cannot do this job ourselves, from the high seat of national government. That is why it is right that local representatives who understand local heritage and history should have the final say over these matters. Infrastructural matters are the subject of Section 3 (Articles 6 and 7) of this Bill. First, with regard to public works; again, I think this comes back to local knowledge. National administration can make a decent fist of managing public works, but I contend they could be better managed by local administration - people who know the areas concerned well. Better use of public money and less wastage can only be a good thing. Article 7 devolves authority over their power grids to local administration. Though the national grid has worked decently over previous years, we believe localising power grids will allow better management of energy consumption and reduce wait-times for resolving issues when they arise. I think particularly of the islands of Bailon, which are particularly vulnerable to unreliable power supply. Having dedicated regional control will ensure better service is delivered to households and businesses right across Beluzia. Finally, in the last Section of this Bill, Article 8 hands over control of forestry to regional government. With generally the same rationale as with regard to the previous three Sections, we believe regional government know better than us at the national level how each forest should be managed. People who know the forests, know the local climate, the wildlife and such, should be the ones who manage it. And thus, Madam Speaker, I present to the Senate the Comprehensive Devolution Act - a radical reassignment of powers that puts local people in charge, puts local communities at the helm and puts local issues first! Sen. Mary Billingdon Internal Affairs Spokesperson, New Liberal Party |
| Date | 21:25:02, July 22, 2016 CET | From | Regionalist Coalition | To | Debating the Comprehensive Devolution Act |
| Message | Madam Speaker, As so many of my colleagues seem adamant in their refusal to let power slip from their hands - even powers over matters they are not as fit as local representatives to handle - might I request a reasoning from any party? A government statement? Anything, from any one of the 715 of you? I must confess I wish such an important Bill would not be defeated without even a word being uttered against it in the Senate! The people of our nation deserve a reason why powers are staying with the high and mighty in Fort Thorne, and not being handed over, as they rightfully should be, to more local administration. I warn Senators, this will seem an elaborate ruse to hold powers back from the people. Sen. Mary Billingdon Internal Affairs Spokesperson, New Liberal Party |
| Date | 23:42:57, July 22, 2016 CET | From | Libertarian Party | To | Debating the Comprehensive Devolution Act |
| Message | Madam Speak, This bill, although well intentioned, is misguided. Bureaucracy in Beluzia has swollen up beyond all reason. It's a rot at the heart of this country. In handing these powers to local governments, we would be further multiplying the size of government. This is fundamentally a move in the wrong direction, and we must oppose this bill on that basis. The answer is not to weaken the fat cat bureaucrats in Fort Thorne by handing those powers to even more wretched bureaucrats at city and state level. This rot cannot be reformed. Instead, we must say no to the overextended and rancid hand of the state altogether. - Senator Adam Mortisen, Libertarian Party Internal Affairs Spokesperson |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | |||||||
| yes | Total Seats: 35 | |||||||
| no |
Total Seats: 715 | |||||||
| abstain | Total Seats: 0 |
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