Supreme Legislation Committee delegation explores Australia's legislative experience

UAE, May 30, 2016 - A delegation from the Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC) has recently discussed exchange of expertise and knowledge, and means of enhancing mutual cooperation with the competent legislative bodies in the states of Victoria, Canberra and New South Wales during an official visit to Australia. The SLC delegation included Dr. Mansoor Abdul Rahman Al Osaimi, Director of the Legislation Directorate, and Dr. Belaisha Bin Belaisha, Director of the Legislative Audit Office at the SLC.

The Parliament of the State of Victoria was the SLC delegation’s choice as a first leg of visit. The delegation was received by Ms. Jayne Atkins, Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel, along with a number of senior parliamentary officials. During the discussions, the SLC explored the key legislative procedures and applications, legislative audit mechanisms, and means of disseminating local legislation adopted in the State of Victoria.

The SLC delegation then proceeded to the State of Canberra, where they met with a high-level delegation from the Federal Parliament of Australia, foremost among whom was Ms. Catherine Cornish, Clerk Assistant, House of Representatives. The meeting focused on the legislative best practices and trends at the federal level, in addition to key initiatives and activities undertaken by the Australian Parliament to develop the federal legislative system and give impetus to the role of local government bodies in ensuring compliance with the legislation in force. 

During their visit to Canberra, the SLC delegates met with H.E. Dr. Obaid Al Ketbi, UAE Ambassador to Australia. Attending the meeting was H.E. Brigadier Tariq Mohammed Al Bannai, Military Attaché at the UAE Embassy and a number of the UAE Embassy staff, who lauded the tireless efforts of the SLC to enrich legislative knowledge with the ultimate goal of developing and improving the legislative system of the UAE in general, and of Dubai in particular.

The New South Wales Parliament was the third and final stop, featuring a meeting that focused on the legislative framework and legislative compliance mechanisms in place in New South Wales. Also explored during the meeting were areas of cooperation between the SLC and the competent legislative bodies in New South Wales with a view to ensuring correct understanding and proper application of the legislation in force. The SLC delegation was received by a number of officials from the New South Wales Parliament led by John Young, Clerk Assistant of the House of Lords.
 
The SLC delegates also met with the Honourable Tom Frederick Bathurst, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, who discussed a number of strategic issues of mutual interest, namely the role of the judiciary in the legislative process, mechanisms for disseminating court judgments, cooperation with the competent local authorities, and the strategic impact of international agreements on legislative systems in New South Wales and in Australia as a whole.

Commenting on the visit, H.E. Ahmad bin Meshar, Secretary General of the SLC, explained that Australia has one of the best legislative, judicial and executive systems in the world. “The SLC is keen on benefitting from Australia’s vast legislative experience, activating communication channels, and sharing professional experience and exchanging knowledge with three of the most prominent Australian states,” affirmed Bin Meshar, adding that the ultimate goal of this cooperation is to improve the legislative systems of both countries and actively contribute to global growth and development.

H.E. Bin Meshar reiterated: “The SLC is committed to strengthening relations and mutual cooperation with major legislative entities and bodies around the world with a view to navigating the legislative process in the Emirate of Dubai to the highest international levels of excellence, leadership and efficiency. This is in line with strategic goals of UAE Vision 2021, namely to secure a place for the UAE among the best countries in the world by 2021. We are pleased with the results of the visit which has contributed to enriching knowledge, exchanging professional experience, and building solid foundations for developing mutual relations in the future.”