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Elected Speaker of the States (P.160/2013): amendment (P.160/2013 Amd.) – amendment.

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STATES OF JERSEY

ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE STATES (P.160/2013): AMENDMENT (P.160/2013 Amd.) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 23rd April 2014 by Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour

STATES GREFFE

2013   Price code: A  P.160 Amd.Amd.

ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE STATES (P.160/2013): AMENDMENT (P.160/2013 Amd.) – AMENDMENT

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After  the  words  "President  of  the  States?' "  insert  the  words  "provided  that  the referendum shall not be held unless the States have already adopted legislation to give effect to the change which contains a commencement provision which specifies that the legislation shall automatically come into force if the change is supported by a majority of those voting in the referendum (subject to a minimum turnout threshold to be specified in the legislation) and shall not come into force if it is not".

DEPUTY R.G. LE HÉRISSIER OF ST. SAVIOUR

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P.160/2013 Amd.Amd.

REPORT

In the event that both the main proposition and the first amendment are approved, it is imperative that the public know the precise terms of engagement of a referendum. I have already moved a proposition asking PPC to make these terms clear, given the promised referendum in October on the subject of acceptance or otherwise of the Clothier Report recommendations and the issue of the retention of the Connétable s in the States.

There is already deep disillusionment amongst the electorate as a result of the handling of the last referendum, and I see acceptance of my amendment as an important step in regaining the trust of the electorate.

My amendment seeks to mirror the manner in which the UK Parliament handled the Alternative Vote referendum in 2011. In that case, Parliament passed legislation that gave effect to the introduction of AV but which also contained a commencement provision specifying that the relevant section of the Act would be brought into effect automatically if AV was supported in the referendum. This avoided the need for any further parliamentary debate and effectively made the referendum binding.

Financial and manpower implications

There should be no additional costs other than the States' time in debating the matter.

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P.160/2013 Amd.Amd.