How Parliament Performed in 2024

Below are speech extracts from DA Chief Whip in Parliament, George Michalakis MP, and DA Leader in the NCOP, Dennis Ryder MP.

George Michalakis:

Extract: “In this 7th Parliament, since Election 2024, the DA in the National Assembly has gained 3 seats, but also entered the Government of National Unity with 6 Ministers and 6 Deputy Ministers.

And within the ranks of Officers of Parliament the DA now holds a House Chairpersonship, in Werner Horn MP, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, in Annelie Lotriet MP – this new era in Parliament gives us the opportunity to restore its dignity.

The likelihood is that we will have a hung Parliament for many years to come. There is no longer a guarantee of support for bad ideas, that used to affect the country negatively.

Parliament is in a better state than it was 6 months ago.

The DA has already used this 7th Parliament to fight and win significant battles, including:

• The fight to keep John Hlophe out of the Judicial Services Commission,
• The removal of former Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula,
• Accountability for former Justice Minister Thembi Simelane,
• Securing a Committee in Parliament to oversee the Presidency,

The DA has led at asking probing questions to the Executive – with the most written questions to Ministers having been asked by the DA. The DA asked 35.8% of all written questions so far this year, which is significantly more than the 22% of the seats that we hold.

The DA has also driven the legislative agenda, with several thorough and robust Private Members Bills currently going through Parliament, including these Bills:

• To stabilise coalitions,
• The Health Professions Bill,
• Anti-corruption Legislation, including creating the “Scorpions 2.0”
• The Cyber Commissioner Bill,
• Anti-Land Invasion legislation,
• The Remote Gambling Bill.”

Dennis Ryder:

Extract: “In the National Council of Provinces the DA has worked extremely hard to influence all legislation in the right direction. While we do not have the numbers to block legislation, we can and are influencing its formation to get the best outcomes.

Since the Election, 9 Ministers have appeared before the NCOP to be questioned by members of the National Council, as has the President and Deputy President. The DA has used these opportunities to robustly question them.

The DA has asked almost 36% of written questions.

Some highlight questions included DA Member Mzamo Billy using the follow-up question to the Deputy President to get him on record about the BRICS alternative currency and plans to de-dollarize.

A second stand-out question was DA Member Nicholas Gotsell to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, getting her on record about skewed priorities for expenditure in the Military.”