WORKSHOP D - SCRUTINY OF FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE Colombo, Sri Lanka
58th Workshop D - 12 September 2012
ENSURING ADEQUATE PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY OF FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Moderator: Hon. Dale Graham, MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, New Brunswick
Discussion Leaders: Sen. Stephen Parry, Deputy President of the Senate, Australia Sen. Ian Gorst, Chief Minister, Jersey Sen. the Hon. Raynell Andreychuk, Canada Hon. Michael A. Peart, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jamaica
Members acknowledged the complexity of dealing with foreign policy issues in Commonwealth countries, especially because this area has been in the exclusive domain of the executive arm of government with limited participation by Parliament. However, with the emerging trend
toward parliamentary diplomacy and the growing knowledge of citizens on transparency and accountability, Members speaking in the workshop urged the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to continue to strengthen the capacity of the Legislature to demonstrate competence in foreign policy matters. Foreign policy is an expression
of a country’s national interests and so should reflect the aspirations of the people who are sovereign. The value of involving Parliamentarians, as representatives of the people, in foreign policy issues cannot be over- emphasized. The workshop noted the imperative of repositioning
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parliamentary structures, such as standing or special committees, to respond effectively to the demands of parliamentary diplomacy through parliamentary scrutiny. The workshop further noted
the gap between developed and developing member states in parliamentary scrutiny, especially in foreign policy considerations, and urged Members to share knowledge and experiences on best practice which would be a stimulus for change. In addition, the workshop added
that Parliamentarians should have a greater role in reviewing new international agreements and in approving participation in external conflict situations.
Parliamentary role The workshop title makes direct reference to one of the cardinal pillars of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association which is the promotion of Parliamentary democracy. In its 2010 document promoting parliamentary
democracy, the CPA is described as a diverse group of Parliamentarians “who are united by a community of interests, including respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and the pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy”. The CPA’s Mission is described as
being one of promoting advancement by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance. Accordingly, the workshop discussed one aspect of democratic governance which is the scrutiny that various parliaments can and should be giving to foreign and Commonwealth affairs. It was in the light of this background that parliamentary scrutiny formed one of the major workshop topics in this 58th Conference. In opening the workshop, the
discussion leaders noted that the key words in the topic were “adequate scrutiny” and observed that any legislation on foreign affairs ought to