PROMOTING GOOD parliamentary practice is high on the agenda of Assistant Speaker of the House in New Zealand, Ross Robertson.
Mr. Robertson and his wife Grace Robertson are currently in Jamaica on a one-week vacation stay, as guests of Senator Anthony Johnson.
"It might seem small but the perception created in the public is very important," he said, speaking with The Gleaner during a visit to the newspaper.
He pointed out that as the main decision making point in the country, parliament's importance must be underpinned by good practice if its decisions and beliefs are to be respected.
The first-timer to Jamaica said he was motivated to visit the island because of all the "wonderful" things he was hearing back home. He said his only chance at a real vacation was to leave the country for a while.
"I have learned as a politician that the only way to get a break, is to get away," Mr. Robertson said.
Since arriving on Monday he has been shuttled around to various sites by Senator Johnson whose friendship with the speaker developed through their involvement in the worldwide organisation, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA).
Both are currently directors on the organisation's board. PGA is mainly concerned with encouraging countries to deal with various international issues and concerns through legislation, for example the International Criminal Court.
Mr. Robertson was quite fascinated with the recent uproar in Gordon House some weeks ago which he had heard quite a lot about since arriving in the island. He is however disappointed that he will not be able to see the House in session as Parliament has suspended sittings for the holidays.
Mr. Robertson has been Assistant Speaker since July last year when his party The Labour Party gained power. In his quest to encourage good practices in parliament he has written a 'Parliamentary Ethics and Code of Conduct' which is currently before the New Zealand Standing Committee for review.
The Robertson's vacation which runs from December 29 - January 6, includes visits to places the Robertson's are anxious to see, like Montego Bay, Appleton Estates in St. Elizabeth and a visit to Bob Marley sites in Trench Town.
They described their most moving experience so far as seeing the sunset from Jacks Hill on Monday evening. "The colours were beautiful, it was so moving and spectacular," Mrs. Robertson said.
They have also been savouring the island's cuisine, having sampled escoveitch fish , festival which they describe as similar to a Mouri delicacy in their country and pumpkin rice.
