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Parly to debate 23 Bills
By Sydney Kawadza and Zvamaida Murwira
President Mugabe yesterday set the legislative agenda for the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of Zimba-bwe, which will see 23 Bills being presented for debate in both Houses.
The legislative agenda will guide debate in Parliament and provides the legislature with the direction Govern-ment would like to take on national issues.
It also prepares legislators for the kind of laws Government will seek to enact over the coming session.
Opening the session, President Mugabe announced a busy schedule for MPs, who also have to contend with the constitution-making process.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Electoral Amendment, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Amendment and the Referendums Amendment Bills are among proposed laws that will be tabled during the session.
President Mugabe said this was pursuant to the Global Political Agreement signed by Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC in Septe-mber 2008.
The Bills — he pointed out — were consistent with wider constituional requirements.
President Mugabe said Zimbabwe had shifted emphasis from reliance on aid as a critical factor for economic development to investment.
"The heightened mobility and intense competition for capital resources underlines the need to work assiduously to enhance the country’s appeal as an investment destination," he said.
Government, President Mugabe said, was processing Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with several countries.
Agreements with Iran, India, Kuwait, Botswana, Singapore and the Opec Fund will be brought to Parliament for ratification.
The Women’s Council Bill, which will facilitate the establishment of an organ to co-ordinate implementation of wo-men’s empowerment programmes, will also be brought before MPs.
"Government has also set up a Women’s Development Fund, which will provide loans to women without the need for collateral security.
"The Fund was allocated US$1 million under the current budget, which is to be managed through the People’s Own Savings Bank," he said.
The Media Practitioners Bill, which seeks to repeal parts of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, will also come before Parliament.
The changes will do away with the need for registration of journalists and clarify privacy issues in Aippa.
The Attorney-General’s Office Bill, which places law officers under the Judicial Services Commission, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, which incorporates suggestions from the public, are also lined up for tabling.
The Zimbabwe Examinations and Qualifications Authority, Schools Examinations Council and the Indige-nous Languages Bills will be proposed for improvements to the education sector.
Also due for debate in the session are amendments to the Zimbabwe Income Tax Act to align it to international best practices among other things.
The Deposit Protection Bill, which seeks to transform the Deposit Protec-tion Scheme presently enacted as a Statutory Instrument under the Bank-ing Act into an independent statutory entity, will be tabled.
The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill — first presented in 2007 — shall require MPs’ attention this session.
The proposed law will discourage speculation and facilitate investment in the mining sector by both locals and foreigners, while ensuring Zimbabwe derives maximum benefits from its resources.
The Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation Bill providing for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation shall also be brought for consideration.
Through the corporation, the Government will be more actively involved in mineral exploration.
An Energy Regulatory Authority Bill to establish a regulatory body for the energy industry is also up for debate.
Parliament will also debate the Zimbabwe Border Post Authority Bill to ease congestion at points of exit and entry.
Other proposed laws include the Small to Medium Enterprise Bill to ensure an enabling environment for the sector; and amendments to the Environ-ment Management Act to provide for more deterrent penalties against offenders.
"The amendments will also provide for the establishment of Environmental Standards Enforcement Committees in urban and local authorities," President Mugabe said.
Parliament will debate the Medical Aid Societies Bill for the registration and regulation of medical aid societies.
"I wish to express profound personal appreciation to all who have assisted us through the donor-supported staff retention scheme for the health sector.
"The support has greatly stabilised the staff situation in the sector," added the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Other proposed regulations include the Trafficking in Persons Bill (to criminalise human trafficking), and the International Agreements Bill (to rationalise the system of ratifying, publishing and domesticating international agreements).
The Civil Aviation Amendment and National Incomes and Pricing Bills will also come under consideration.
President Mugabe said Government would continue prioritising economic growth and development to achieve 5,4 percent growth by year-end.
"This exacting goal will inevitably require improved efforts in mobilising capital for industry, support to agriculture and other productive sectors and enhanced efficiency of strategic public utilities, particularly in the power and water sectors."
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