Suspension of SODELPA

Honourable Members, as you may be aware the Registrar of Political Parties has issued a Notice pursuant to section 19 of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. The Notice clearly states that the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is suspended with immediate effect on 26 May 2020 for a period of 60 days.

I now advise Honourable Members that subsequent to the suspension of the SODELPA by the Registrar of Political Parties, I have legal advice on the impact this will have on the Honourable Members concerned.

1. The suspension of the registration of a political party has the effect of suspending that political party and all its members from all Parliament sittings, including from all Committees of Parliament.
2. This means that any such suspended political party and all its Members cannot participate in Parliament or in any of the Committees of Parliament.
3. Furthermore, the political party or any of its Members cannot be entitled to any remuneration or allowances from Parliament for the duration of the suspension.
4. During the period of suspension, Members of Parliament of the SODELPA party including caucus staff are not permitted to access the Parliament premises.

The Members concerned have been duly informed and that they are suspended from Parliament for 60 days, with effect from 26 may 2020. The suspension will be reviewed once the status of the political party is determined by the Registrar of Political Parties.

Thank you Honourable Members.