Hon Speaker, the decision to delay the debate on the Protection of Information Bill is a victory for democracy.
The majority party's Chief Whip yesterday described the Bill as the product of "a truly democratic process". However democratic this process may be perceived to be, it has nonetheless produced a Bill that stands opposed to the basic tenets of our democracy.
The DA's representatives on the ad hoc committee have worked exceptionally hard on this Bill, and with the greatest integrity and commitment. We hope that in the deliberations that will follow, the ANC will reconsider important proposals made by the DA that it has thus far turned down - in particular the public interest defence.
The delaying of this Bill has presented us all with a vital window of opportunity to consider the implications that passing it in its current form will have for our democracy.
We know that this Bill has generated opposition not only from opposition parties, civil society and the public, but from within the tripartite alliance and the ANC's parliamentary caucus.
As MPs, the elected representatives of our country's people, we need to use this window of opportunity to put political considerations aside and craft a Bill that will protect citizens' rights and enhance, not undermine, our democracy.
Wastage of taxpayers' money BY PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH AND