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CONFERENCE ARCHIVEMINUTES OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH APHEA CONFERENCE
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| Australian Capital Territory | Mr Keith Ryder Acting Editor |
| Commonwealth of Australia | Ms Val Barrett Chief Hansard Reporter |
| Cook Islands | Ms Sarah Takairan Accounts Officer |
| Fiji | Ms Lusi Bale Acting Assistant Editor of Official Reports |
| Kiribati | Mr Airata Teemeta Editor |
| New South Wales | Mr Mark Faulkner Acting Editor of Debates |
| New Zealand | Mrs Valerie Hellberg Senior Parliamentary Officer (Hansard) |
| Northern Territory | Ms Lucinda Osmond Editor of Debates |
| Papua New Guinea | Ms Sarufa Haro Acting Deputy Principal Reporter |
| Queensland | Mr Alan Watson Chief Reporter |
| Solomon Islands | Ms Clerah Pita Editor Ms Ester Lembu Reporter |
| South Australia | Mr Jim Leahy Leader of Hansard Staff |
| Tasmania | Mr Bill Washington Editor of Debates |
| Victoria | Ms Carolyn Williams Editor of Debates |
| Western Australia | Mr Chris Hall Deputy Editor |
| Western Samoa | Ms Charlene Malele Chief Editor of Hansard |
Observers:
| South Africa | Mrs Joey du Toit Editor |
| United Kingdom | Mr Bill Garland Deputy Editor |
MONDAY, 17 JANUARY 2000:
1. OFFICIAL OPENING (2.05 p.m.)
Official welcome by Mr John Evans, Clerk of the New South Wales Parliament.
After welcoming delegates to Perth, Mr Evans made the point that all member countries of the association were represented at the annual conference for the first time. He wished all delegates well in their deliberations over the coming days and officially opened the conference.
2. WELCOME TO NEW PARTICIPANTS (2.15 p.m.)
The Acting President (Mr Watson) thanked Mr Evans for his opening remarks. He also thanked the Honourable John Murray, Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, for his comments at the official lunch for the delegates and for the guided tour of the Speaker's quarters.
The Acting President welcomed new participants to the conference and also noted the presence of the observers from South Africa and the United Kingdom, Mrs Joey du Toit and Mr Bill Garland respectively.
The Acting President referred to the absence of Mr Bernie Harris, who has taken up a major role in the organisation of the Centenary of Federation celebrations. He commented on the work Mr Harris has done in raising the profile of Hansard across Australia and his enormous contribution to the annual APHEA conferences and subsequently moved, seconded Mr Ryder (ACT):
That the Australasian and Pacific Hansard Editors Association records its deep appreciation of the contributions to the Hansard family of Bernie Harris and wishes him well in his future endeavours.
Motion agreed to unanimously.
3. CONDOLENCES (2.20 p.m.)
Death of Mr Jim Konmil, Principal Parliamentary Reporter, Papua New Guinea
The Acting President (Mr Watson) informed the conference of the death of Mr Jim, Konmil, Principal Parliamentary Reporter, Papua New Guinea on 27 August 1999 and moved, seconded Ms Malele (Samoa):
That the Australasian and Pacific Hansard Editors Association records its deep appreciation of the contributions to the Hansard family of Jim Konmil, and expresses its profound condolences to his family.
Mr Faulkner (NSW) read message of condolence from Kaca Kikau, Editor of Official Reports (Fiji). Mr Faulkner then referred to the time Mr Konmil spent at the NSW Parliament researching the indexing of Hansard.
Mr Ryder (ACT) spoke to the motion noting his friendship with Mr Konmil.
Ms Haro (PNG) outlined Mr Konmil's career with PNG Hansard, commencing in 1977. She referred to his achievements within the department, including the introduction of interpretation courses and new computer technology. Ms Haro acknowledged his efforts on behalf of his staff and his department.
Motion agreed to unanimously, delegates rising in their place and observing a 1-minute silence.
4. APOLOGIES
The Vice-President (Mr Faulkner) informed the conference of the absence of Ms Kikau (Fiji) and read a message wishing delegates well. He also read a message from Mr Seah Ah Ee, Editor, Singapore, who was invited as an observer.
5. MINUTES OF TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING HELD IN PERTH (2.32 p.m.)
Mr Faulkner (NSW) moved, seconded Mr Ryder (ACT):
That the minutes of the twenty-sixth meeting held in Perth in 1999 be adopted as a true and accurate record.
Motion agreed to unanimously.
6. VENUE AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING (2.33 p.m.)
Postponed.
7. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS (2.34 p.m.)
Mr Hall (WA) moved, seconded Mr Leahy (SA):
That Mr Mark Faulkner, Acting Editor of Debates, New South Wales, be elected President of the Australasian and Pacific Hansard Editors Association for the ensuing 12 months and that he be the Chairman of the Conference.
Motion agreed to unanimously.
The Chairman (Mr Faulkner) thanked Mr Watson (Qld) for chairing the meeting in the absence of the immediate past president, Mr Burrell (WA). He noted the absence of many Editors from the conference and the presence of their representatives, and hoped the importance of the conference would be appreciated in time.
Appointment of Vice-President postponed until decision confirmed on venue for 2001.
8. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION (2.35 p.m.)
The Chairman (Mr Faulkner) suggested that information to be exchanged be placed in a central position and that delegates collect it at their leisure.
The Chairman suggested the agenda be altered to fit in with the late arrival of some delegates.
SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM (2.40 p.m.)
Attending delegates from South Pacific nations - Cook Islands, Fiji, Kirabati, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Western Samoa - outlined the situations in their jurisdictions. Major problems mentioned focused on simultaneous interpretation and difficulties with indexing speeches.
Other difficulties that were raised resulted from a lack of resources and antiquated equipment. Ms Bale (Fiji) reminded the conference of the offer made by Mr Harris at last year's conference that the Commonwealth Parliament may have surplus equipment it could provide Fiji.
Conference adjourned 3.10. p.m. for afternoon tea and resumed 3.30 p.m..
The conference discussed the situation in New Zealand Parliament where members can obtain unedited copy of their speeches from radio broadcasters. Searching voice files by sound was also discussed.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
Conference adjourned 4.12 p.m.
TUESDAY, 18 JANUARY:
The Chairman welcomed Ms Barrett (C'wealth) to the conference.
6. VENUE AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING (9.04 a.m.)
Ms Barrett (C'wealth) confirmed that the Commonwealth Parliament would host the twenty-eighth conference of the association in Canberra in 2001. It was decided that, subject to scheduled commitments, the conference be held in the week of the Australia Day holiday.
7. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS (9.15 a.m.)
Mr Watson (Qld) moved, seconded Mr Ryder (ACT):
That Ms Val Barrett, Chief Hansard Reporter, Commonwealth Parliament, be elected Vice-President of the Australasian and Pacific Hansard Editors Association for the ensuing 12 months.
Motion agreed to unanimously.
Mr Watson (Qld) asked delegates to consider the venue for 2002.
10. SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM cont'd (9.10 a.m.)
Discussion resumed from previous day.
Delegates continued discussion on the provision of members speeches by radio broadcasters.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
9. YEAR IN REVIEW
(a) Reporting strategies (9.15 a.m.)
All delegates reported on strategies used in their jurisdictions.
Many questions were asked about the use by Westminster, Canberra and Victoria of tape reporters. Other issues raised included voice-activated technology, computer-assisted transcription - Eclipse, Case Catalyst and Premier Power software - provision of proofs to members, timeliness versus accuracy, training, editing and committee transcripts.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
Conference adjourned 12.00 noon.
After lunch, the Chairman escorted delegates on an inspection of Stadium Australia and the Homebush Olympic Games complex.
WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY:
The Chairman welcomed Ms Lucinda Osmond (NT) and Mr Bill Washington (Tas) to the conference.
15. MEMBERSHIP OF ASSOCIATION (9.25 a.m.)
Mr Watson (Qld) moved, seconded Mr Faulkner (NSW):
That the constitution be amended as necessary to enable countries that are members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to become members of the Australasian and Pacific Hansard Editors Association.
Motion agreed to unanimously.
16. ASSOCIATION WEB SITE
The Secretary of the Association (Ms Williams) outlined to delegates plans to develop a web site based on those of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association and the Shorthand Reporters Association of Australia.
9. YEAR IN REVIEW (9.30 a.m.)
(a) Reporting strategies cont'd
Discussion resumed from previous day.
Delegates continued discussions on the reporting strategies used by all jurisdictions, with contributions from the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
(b) Changes in practices and procedures
(c) Technology developments and applications
(d) Budget negotiations and applications
The Chairman invited delegates to speak to all remaining subjects listed under agenda item 9 - Year in Review.
All delegates reported on changes in practices and procedures, technology developments and applications and budget negotiations and applications.
Topics covered included hours of work in each jurisdiction, in-house or outsourced IT support, outsourcing of committee transcripts, in-house printing, provision of transcripts on the Internet, impact of video recordings of proceedings, digital audio recordings, Hansard-specific forms, Word software, parliamentary privilege, members corrections, statistics and production of electronic copy in pdf and html format.
It was agreed that the Secretary (Ms Williams) would take steps to establish a VAT users group.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
10. REPORTS (12.50 p.m.)
(a) Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association
Mr Watson (Qld) reported that the transcript of the conference held in Ulundi, South Africa, in June 1999 was still not available. He noted that the informal sessions of the conference were more helpful than the more organised, formal sessions. Mr Watson was critical of the organisation of the conference and hoped improvements would be made for the next conference three years hence.
Mr Washington, (Tas) stated he believed the conference had great value in exposing provincial Hansard departments to Commonwealth colleagues and jurisdictions. He noted that the conference consolidated the establishment of the African region branch.
Comments were made that the broad agenda required for the triennial conference was necessarily one of tedium for some part.
(b) Intersteno
As no delegate at the conference attended, no report was proffered.
(c) National Court Reporters Association
As no delegate at the conference attended, no report was proffered.
(d) Shorthand Reporters Association of Australia
Mr Ryder (ACT) reported that a panel discussion, very ably facilitated by Ms Barrett (C'wealth), was included on the agenda of the SRAA conference for the first time.
The next conference is to be held in Fremantle from 25-27 February, 2000.
Conference adjourned 12.45 p.m. for lunch.
6. VENUE AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING (2.33 p.m.)
Ms Haro (PNG) extended to the Association an invitation for the twenty-ninth conference in 2002 to be hosted by Papua New Guinea.
12. STAFFING ISSUES (2.35 p.m.)
Delegates indicated that they had already dealt with staffing issues when discussing agenda item 9 - Year in Review.
Mr Ryder (ACT) referred to the trial of home-based work in the near future.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
13. EXTERNAL TRANCRIPT PROVISION (2.40 p.m.)
Ms Barrett (C'wealth) briefed the conference on the subject, indicating tenders would be sought by the Commonwealth in February.
Considerable discussion and questioning took place with Ms Barrett outlining many of the details of the scheme.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
14. FORMATTING OF HANSARD PUBLICATION (3.00 p.m.)
Delegates discussed the formatting of Hansard text, with specific reference to moving from WordPerfect software to the Word package.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
Additional item. INDEXING (3.20 p.m.)
Mr Watson (Qld) referred to the problems of indexing experienced by the South Pacific nations and the difficulties caused as a result of the enormous volume of questions on notice.
Delegates also discussed the potential problems of accessing in the future electronic versions of text generated using today's technology.
(For details of discussions on the above agenda item reference should be made to the transcript of proceedings)
17. GENERAL BUSINESS (3.55 p.m.)
Mr Hall (WA) indicated that from March 2000 Western Australia would stream audio and video externally on a continuous basis rather than limiting it to just questions without notice and special events such as the Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament which has been the practice up until now.
Additional item. FUTURE OF HANSARD REPORTING (4.00 p.m.)
Delegates discussed their various visions for the future and/or where they believed Hansard reporting would be in two to five years. Topics of discussion included home-based work, the phasing out of shorthand, VAT, tape reporters/whole-of-job reporters, editing, utilising the Internet/intranet and digital audio recording.
18. CONCLUSION (4.15 p.m.)
The Chairman thanked delegates for their attendance and contributions to the Conference. He also thanked Ms Liz Gelzennis, Hansard Administrative Officer, the New South Wales reporting team; the Honourable John Murray, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; Mr John Evans, Clerk of the Parliaments; Mr Russell Grove, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly; Mr David Draper, Catering Manager; and Mr Pat Makin, Printing Manager.
The Vice-President (Ms Barrett) on behalf of all delegates thanked the Chairman for his work and that of his staff in hosting the Conference.
Mr Washington (Tas) thanked Mrs du Toit (Sth Afr) and Mr Garland (UK) for their attendance.
Conference adjourned 5.00 p.m.
Carolyn Williams, Secretary
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Last date modified 10 January 2003.