Donald to rely on experience, keen for Parliamentary debates

North Fly MP James Donald says he is not new to being in a house of assembly and his reaction during the first sitting of Parliament was nothing new.
Responding to comments on his behaviour at the first National Parliament sitting where he was very vocal, Donald said he was passionate about issues affecting the country which was why he spoke up.
“Prior to becoming an elected MP, I was already a Fly River assembly member which meant I was a council president to one of the local level governments in the province,” Donald said.
He said as a member of the provincial assembly and a local level government president, he had hands-on experience in assembly standing orders.
“I had vast experience in assembly standing orders and also issues governing the Government. These were straight forward,” Donald said.
“It was just an elevation for me and becoming a member on the floor of Parliament was just another location for me to go and speak about the same things.
“It wasn’t so much of an issue about me even though I was a new person on the floor of Parliament.
“I had the hands-on experience in the last five years.
“The interesting part for me was that I was so much vocal on national issues at the provincial level, more to do with government matters regarding our country.
“So when this thing happened it was obvious for us to debate.
“I just spoke up and stood to support the Opposition team and drive it through.
“Of course everybody spoke throughout the country saying that I was a first timer taking the floor of the Parliament.
“I am a young leader who thinks more globally and internationally.
“Being a member of Parliament is not just concentrating on the district and province but about the 10 million population of this country. It was worth doing it and I look forward to do more debates.”