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In this Australasian Study of Parliament Group webinar, Dr. Pandanus Petter (Australian National University) will discuss his recent research on parliamentarians’ engagement with their electorates. Dr. Petter found evidence of increased time and resources devoted by MPs to constituency work in the areas of policy building, service, and connection with citizens. He explores the implications of these findings for thinking about how politicians relate to the wider society, suggesting that political science may need to catch up with what is happening ‘on the ground’, where MPs are striving to connect constituents to parliament. Following an overview from Dr. Petter, join us for a discussion with distinguished federal MPs and ACT MLAs, including: Ms Kate Chaney MP Mr Rowan Ramsey MP Ms Marion Scrymgour MP Ms Joy Burch MLA, Speaker, ACT Legislative Assembly Ms Nicole Lawder MLA Presenter Dr. Pandanus Petter is a distinguished Research Fellow at the School of Politics and International Relations at the Australian National University (ANU). With a robust background in political science and international affairs, Dr. Petter has contributed extensively to the understanding of global political dynamics. His research focuses on political participation, public policy analysis and political sociology, and he has published numerous articles in leading academic journals. Dr. Petter is known for his insightful analysis and engaging presentations, making complex political issues accessible to a broad audience. Booking This is a free event open to the public (online). If you wish to participate, please register here. After registering you will be sent a calendar invite. A recording will be made available on the Parliamentary Library website. For further information, or if you have any accessibility requirements, contact nicholas.cumming@aph.gov.au or on 02 6277 2610.

The Agile Parliament: resilience, adaptation and innovation / Pāremata, he waewae kai pakiaka: manawaroa, manawa urutau, ihu atamai. 

The amount of information that is readily available to our clients is vast and the technology through which it can be accessed, analysed and presented continues to develop at pace. This conference, we invite you to discuss how your libraries and research services adapt to meet the everchanging needs of your users. 

• How do you monitor and meet current needs? 
• How do you optimise established processes? 
• How do you anticipate and advocate for the future? 

Call for papers 

Please send applications to brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz with the presenter’s name, contact details and topic by Friday 1 November 2024. 

Schedule 

• Day 1 – The APLA Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 January. This is usually for Parliamentary Librarians or their delegates. There will be other activities (workshops, tours, sessions, and visits) for other attendees on this day. 
• Days 2 and 3 – APLA 2025, with all attendees, Thursday 23 – Friday 24 January. The full schedule will be confirmed in November, after the Call For Papers is complete. 

Registration

The registration cost per person will be $AUD350. This will cover the following:  

• Attendance at APLA 2025  
• Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, coffee and tea in the conference rooms 
• Conference dinner on Thursday night 
• Registration pack 
• Offsite event 

The registration fee does not include: 

• Accommodation (see below) 
• Transport, including airport transfers 

To register, email brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz by Friday 1 November 2024 with the details below. We will invoice you for the registration fees. 

• Name(s) and role(s) of attendees 
• Days attendee(s) are attending – Wed/Thu/Fri  
• Dietary needs 
• Other needs or requirements (for example, physical access or equipment)  

Virtual attendance

We realise not everyone can make it this far, so there will be some options to attend sessions virtually – this won’t be possible with all sessions or workshops. 

Scholarships

We will be offering support for two delegates from Pacific Parliaments to attend the conference. These positions will be funded by Tai a Kiwa: Stronger Pacific Parliaments. This will be a fantastic opportunity to learn and share with our Pacific colleagues. 

Accommodation options 

We have arranged some discount options for the conference. Contact brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz for discount links.

Discounted hotels 

• Rydges Wellington
• Sofitel Wellington 
• Bolton Hotel

Other nearby hotels

• James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
• Movenpick Hotel Wellington
• QT Hotel Wellington
• Novotel Capital
• Quest 256 Lambton
• Travelodge Hotel Wellington

Key dates

• 01/11/2024: Final day – call for papers 
• 01/11/2024: Final day – registrations 
• 22/01/2025: APLA AGM 
• 23/01/2025 – 24/01/2025 – APLA Conference 

Parliamentary libraries and research services around the world play an important role in supporting the work of legislatures. However, the capacity of such services in parliaments across the world varies greatly; and for this reason they are increasingly a focus of programs to support and strengthen democratic institutions.

A recent report released in June this year by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs provides an overview of the development of parliamentary research services in Central Europe and the West Balkans. Further information on the report, including good practice recommendations for legislative research services, can be found on the APLAP website.

The Hungarian Parliament

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has announced its call for Nominations for President-Elect and Members of its Governing Board. The Governing Board is responsible for setting IFLA’s strategic and professional direction. The President Elect serves for two years in this role, and then holds the position of President for two years. Information about the roles and expectations of the President Elect and Board members, together with processes for nomination can be found here.

The deadline for nominations is 11 February 2015.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) have released a framework to help improve and encourage effective public sector governance. The Framework encourages better service delivery and accountability in the public sector through improved decision making and the efficient use of resources. The Framework is available from IFAC’s website.

The Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) is Australia’s peak body representing copyright users and innovators in a digital world. Members include IT companies, cultural institutions, schools, universities, libraries, consumer groups and individuals.

Interested individuals can join the ADA mailing list to receive the Keeping Up with Copyright newsletter, which contains information about upcoming events and activities.

Concept Searching are offering a content management webinar entitled

Just the Facts: Auto-classification and Taxonomy Webinar

The National Library of Australia makes Australian newspapers freely available online through Trove as part of the Australian Newspaper Digitisation Program.

The Digitised newspapers home page features a map of Australia. Clicking on a particular state or territory shows:

• the titles available for that region, and
• links to Web Feeds of newly added titles and issues for the region.

 

Screencap of Digitised newspapers homepage from the National Library of Australia

The Program has been released for the 2014 APLA AGM, Workshop and One Day Conference to be held in Brisbane on 31 July and 1 August. It can be downloaded from the link below:

2014 APLA AGM and Conference Program (60 KB PDF)

The 2014 APLA conference and AGM will be held in Brisbane on 31 July – 1 August. The Queensland Parliamentary Library will host. More details to follow shortly.