67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference officially opens in Sydney
Commonwealth Parliamentarians commit to promoting parliamentary democracy at 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in New South Wales
The Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, has urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians to work together to uphold the values of the Commonwealth as she opened the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (67th CPC) for over 700 delegates in Sydney, Australia.
A message to conference delegates from HM King Charles, Head of the Commonwealth and Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was also read by the CPA Vice-Patron. Click here to to read the message.
Above: The CPA Vice-Patron and the CPA President join Members of the CPA Executive Committee at the opening of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. Click here for more images.
One of the largest gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the 67th CPC is being hosted by the Parliament of New South Wales and the CPA New South Wales Branch. The main conference theme for the 67th CPC is: ‘Engage, Empower, Sustain: Charting the Course for Resilient Democracy’.
Delegates to the 67th CPC were welcomed by the CPA President (2023-2024), Hon. Ben Franklin, MLC, President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales who said at the opening ceremony:
“As we mark the bicentenary of the New South Wales Legislative Council this year, one of our biggest celebrations will, of course, be the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) and CPA General Assembly, which the CPA New South Wales Branch is honoured to host. The conference will enable us all to imagine the future of democracy and ensure its resilience in the face of current and future threats.” Read the CPA President's speech.
Above: The CPA Vice-Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales (centre) with the CPA President (2023-2024), Hon. Ben Franklin, MLC, President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales and the Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Hon. Greg Piper, MP. Click here for more images.
The 67th CPC is the first time that the CPA New South Wales Branch has hosted the event and is also the first time that an Australian State or Territory has hosted the CPA annual conference. The CPA Australia Region has hosted the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference four times previously (6th CPC in 1959; 16th CPC in 1970; 34th CPC in 1988; and 47th CPC in 2001).
Delegates were also welcomed by the Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Hon. Greg Piper, MP and the Premier of New South Wales, Hon. Chris Minns, MP.
The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said:
“On behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, it is my great pleasure to welcome delegates to the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in New South Wales and to thank the Parliament of New South Wales for their generosity in hosting this year’s conference as they mark the bicentenary of the New South Wales Legislative Council. This conference offers an invaluable opportunity to come together and share best practice in addressing common issues and strengthening Commonwealth values.
As we come together, it provides us with an opportunity to review progress of the Commonwealth and its values and principles. Commitments to democracy, human rights and good governance are cornerstones of the CPA’s work and we will have the opportunity to discuss these commitments as we meet this week.” Click here to read the full speech.
Above: CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg addresses delegates at the opening of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in New South Wales. Click here for more images.
On behalf of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Dr Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General said:
“In the Commonwealth family, our governments committed to the political values and principles enshrined in our 2013 Commonwealth Charter. These values reinforce democracy and preclude our 2.7 billion people from anarchy. We are a club of nations bound together by common values and aspiration, among which dignity, freedom, and inclusive vibrant democracies stand out.
Parliamentarians have a crucial role in deepening the Commonwealth Charter’s values in their jurisdictions. They are guarantors of accountability, and loudspeakers for the voice of the people. Their work should go beyond party loyalty, be rooted in integrity, allowing them to stand for what is right, just and fair for the people in our Commonwealth.”
The Vote of Thanks was given by Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC, Leader of the Government in the New South Wales Legislative Council and the opening ceremony was conducted by Hon. Courtney Houssos, MLC, New South Wales Minister for Finance and Natural Resources.
A ‘Welcome to Country’ and digeridoo performance was given by Matthew Doyle and subsequent performances were given by the Sydney Children’s Choirs, the Sydney Conservatorium, the Bangarra Dance Company and musician James Johnston.
MPs and parliamentary staff will benefit from professional development, supportive learning and the sharing of best practice with colleagues from across the Commonwealth together with the participation of leading international organisations. The conference also explores a wide range of workshop topics from the use of Artificial Intelligence and technology; the security of MPs; ending human trafficking; combatting discrimination legislation; supporting LGBT+ and people with disabilities to participate in Parliaments; to engaging with indigenous peoples.
The 67th CPC will be attended by Speakers, Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament from across the membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The CPA is the only parliamentary association to bring together national, state, provincial and territorial Legislatures and the CPA’s membership includes almost 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth.
One of the largest gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference brought together over 700 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.
The 67th CPC was the first time that the CPA New South Wales Branch hosted the event and the first time that an Australian State or Territory hosted the CPA annual conference.
During the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there were also a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 40th CPA Small Branches Conference; 8th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference; meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network; the CPA General Assembly and meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the 58th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.
During the conference, a number of elections also took place for the Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, the CPA Small Branches Chairperson and the CPA Vice-Chairperson.
-ENDS-
Further information about the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) can be found at the official conference website and also at the 67th CPC Hub.
On social media follow the hashtag #67CPC
Images of the 67th CPC are also available at the CPA's Flickr page.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) organises its annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) to address global political issues and developments in the parliamentary system through conference workshops and sessions for leading Parliamentarians representing Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the Commonwealth.
The CPA is an international community of almost 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.
