A delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters met with the Parliament of Niue as part of a CPA Benchmarks self-assessment. The CPA’s Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures provide a framework for excellence in Commonwealth parliamentary and legislative practice and were updated in 2018 to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG16 on strong and sustainable democratic institutions. In recent years, 32 Commonwealth Parliaments have undertaken further assessments against the updated CPA Benchmarks.

As part of their visit, the CPA delegation met with the Speaker of the Niue Assembly, the Clerk and Members of Parliament as well as Assembly staff, Cabinet Ministers, government officials, national agencies, village councils and representatives of Niuean civil society.

Speaking about the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment, the Speaker of the Niue Assembly, Hon. Hima Douglas said:

“It would be very easy for a small Parliament, such as ours, to become complacent about our processes and procedures, but parliamentary democracy is never stagnant. From time, to time, we need to monitor our procedures to ensure that they are fit for purpose. It is vitally important for a small Parliament, with no political parties, to ensure that every Member is afforded an equal opportunity to fully participate in the democratic process. One way of doing this is to take stock of the processes and procedures to ensure that the playing field is still level. I am confident that undertaking the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment will help us realise these ambitions and continue delivering for the people of Niue.”

The CPA Benchmarks self-assessment was undertaken by the CPA Pacific Regional Secretary and Interparliamentary Team Lead at the New Zealand House of Representatives, Amber Walters and the CPA Headquarters’ Good Governance Project Manager, Fraser McIntosh.

Following the visit to Alofi, a report from the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment will be formulated with recommendations for reform to strengthen parliamentary institutions in Niue. The outcome report will play an important role in developing the effectiveness of the Niue Assembly and contribute to its implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Stephen Twigg said:

“Effective Parliaments are the cornerstone of good governance, and the CPA works to ensure that Legislatures can function to their maximum potential. Self-assessment against the CPA Benchmarks ensures that Parliaments can vigorously scrutinise their practices and procedures to become better performing Legislatures. In addition, the CPA Benchmarks assessments have strengthened public outreach, engagement and confidence.”

The CPA supports Parliaments to fulfil the outcomes of the self-assessments through CPA Technical Assistance Programmes, which could involve updating the rules of procedures, training for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, or developing corporate policies. These project outputs will strengthen parliamentary institutions for improved good governance.

To find out more about this project please email hq.sec@cpahq.org. The CPA's Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures are available to download on the CPA website.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.