22 women seats top agenda

By JEFFREY ELAPA
SEVERAL important bills are expected to be debated and passed in parliament when it meets at 2pm today.
The enabling laws for the Organic Law on national and local level government elections for the 22 reserved seats for women is top of the government’s  priority list.
This will be the government’s third attempt after two previous attempts failed to muster the required 73 votes.
Although more pressure is coming from women, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said earlier the rights of MPs would be respected as they were allowed to vote on conscience.
If the Equality and Participation Bill is not passed, women will have to either contest against their male colleagues in the June election or wait until 2017.
Among other government businesses on the notice papers are:
qConstitutional amendment (provincial electorates) law;
qA proposed law to alter the Constitution by amending certain provisions relating to provincial electorates;
qConstitutional amendment (Provincial Electorates) laws 2006 – Governor-General’s Amendment;
qThe Supreme Court and National Court – new rules – paper – a motion for adoption and resumption of debate;
qProvincial Governments Administration (Amendment) Bill 2009; and
qA bill for an Act to amend the National Capital District Commission Act 2001, among others, including matters referred to the permanent parliamentary committees.
Other important laws that must be passed but were adjourned from Dec 20 last year were:
qThe Constitutional Amendment (Sovereign Wealth Fund) Law 2011; and 
qOrganic law on the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
They are expected to be debated and voted in the March parliament session.