The new Senate is called to order
•
by Lord TJ
Fellow citizens
Today I take my seat for another term as a Senator. It's operating a bit different as we were taken over at the time of the Senate elections and thus we have what is called a "Non-Elected Senate" (NES). Most eAussies will know what this means but I'll explain the basics.
Keeper of the Black Rod (commonly - "Black Rod") does the ceremonial knock as part of the traditional opening of parliament following an election.
What is a "Non-Elected Senate"?
As with any recognised eRepublik elections system, nominations for public office are made in-game and eligible citizens of that country (if CP) or region (if Congress) get to choose from those candidates, respectively.
As eAus was taken over during the last Senate elections in-game, we the people were denied the right to participate. The Prime Minister (Country President), citing precedent from previous occurrences of takeover, conducted a AusERepublik forum-based election to provide citizens with an avenue to participate in the decision-making processes, albeit in a less formal manner.
Were the NES senators elected in at least some way?
Absolutely. The Prime Minister set an NES limit of 20 seats and asked each party president (to the best of my knowledge) for nominations of their party membership and - at least in the case of the ANP - members were called upon to give their names to our PP. Due to the political autonomy of this process from party to party, you will have to rely on your own enquiries if you'd like to find out how other parties performed this preselection function.
From those nominated to the Prime Minister - who performed the role of election commissioner for the purpose of the ballot - each nominee's name was put to the citizen accessed forum and a public vote was taken.
As only 19 candidates were put forward for a maximum of 20 seats, the election was declared much in the same way as Aus RL seats where only one candidate stands. All new NES Senators took their seats.
If there was an election process, why is this temporary legislature called the "Non-elected" Senate?
Technically, it's a word play that seems to have existed under previous legislation designed when eAus faced takeover in previous times. Chiefly, it symbolises that no in-game election and defines the way and method that the Senate is elected, convened, votes and conducts its business. Basically it differentiates between in-game powers and no in-game powers.
Can the NES vote on legislation and proposals?
In-game? No. On the forum? Yes.
If NES Senators can't vote in-game, how can the legislation be enforced?
There are many arguments that could be made to say it can and it can't. The bottom line is, there is no 100% guarantee. As the Prime Minister is the only official with in-game legislative powers at present, only they can move and vote on in-game legislation - the pinnacle of game controls for officials.
Although it is not "in stone", the Prime Minister's decision to provide this form of legislative check and balance in the first place would be a great disservice to him and eAustralia if the Senate voted down an administration-sponsored bill and he were to go the other way. Due to this reality, I am of the belief that there is a genuine desire on the PM's part to provide a sincere system of temporary legislature where the Senate is respected, until the next congressional elections can be held in-game.
Erm .. no |-/
Who are the Senators for this temporary NES term?
Daniel Austeele
DocterDry (Party President; ANP Leader in the Senate)
infin
Mark Brennan
Styvesant
TJ Norton
xXAgeOfSpaceXx
Yobbo McSweeny
Arfman
Binda33
busynurse1510 (Party President)
F0rse7i
Mack Craft
Michael Windsor
Rincewind Waylander
Schoft
Chris Carnage (Party President)
Hinokai
red back
Note: GnG didn't field any candidates.
How is it going with the 'nuts and bolts' of how this temporary legislature is going to work and be effective?
Work in progress - will keep you up to date.
TJ Norton
Senator (ANP)
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Comments
"we were PTO'd in the Senate elections"
No, we weren't, please fix that. PTO means political take over. Last time we were PTO'ed eIndonesians (the angeldemons) controlled the senate with their majority of seats. We only lost all our regions this time that's why there were no senate elections.
Apart from that it's a good article.
Actually that was an intentional lulz on my part as a jab to the eIndos, bearing in mind that our wipe was their national goal. I'll fix it anyway.
See: http://economy.erepublik.com/en/accounts/2174611
See the thing is, the eAustralian Government still holds a lotta dosh.
Without senate oversight (or at least more than one person), then one person would oversee it.
The point of the NES really, should be to make sure more than one person looks after it.
There you go. My 10yo says she gets it, so hope y'all do too : P
good works
Damn you and your two words that make more than my 50, infin!
I like this TJ, he has potential... a little misguided but still a keeper 😉
You see Ranger, that's fine as long as we work as a real Senate instead of expected to be a puppet.
My name is T. J. and I am smarter than your 5th grader 😃
don't worry I will protect the RBA. I would never let it get wasted like a ridiculous *&^%
^ that's the only reason this e-Senator gets to e-sleep at night.
If I may suggest...
The MoF should sell off all of that foreign currency as it becomes less valuable every day.
Be sure the MoF is keeping up on the daily spreadsheet.
Whenever the government changes there should be positive acknowledgement that the passwords have changed hands and been changed so everyone knows who has the passwords and that they are secure. There should be a high level of watchfulness whenever the government changes. (Brazil just had their treasury looted during their government change over.)
The MoF should post daily screen shots of the CT and RBA in the senate secure area on the forums.
Yes, venja and I do the daily spreadsheet. Since the CP election, venja and I remain the RBA custodians.
You weren't elected by all the people in a true election, you have no powers to help in game, you are useless and are just doing this for the power trip. Please go do something useful with your time like.. knit something because frankly NES are pointless.
^to all senators not one in particular
so when we are overrun jade, who is in charge of the RBA, or in charge of negotiating alliance help, or in charge of funding/running the ADF? no one?
Don't worry folks that's just Jade having a dig at me. Haven't you got something better to do like being the designated power tripper on iRC?
I am the best
Seriously, if the countries money gets stolen AGAIN, i will personally make it my mission to destroy the in game reputation and caccount of every single NES! Mark my words, i am not freakin joking, you role play and F$%# this country up one more time and lose that money then i will make sure you lose your account with the permaban.
Consider yourselves warned...
Now, who wants some cake?
\o/ cake.
Oi Arth, while your e-threats taste like a Ham and Cheese toastie with extra lulz .. the NES doesn't "control" jack squat - it's the PM and MoF.
Oohh .. nice cake *YoinK!*
Good article.
All the top-5 parties were approached for candidates including the Daytime Pelicans who also failled to submit an election list. DIPYA got representation via ACP offering them a platform since they limited the candidates fielded.
This does show that most of the Top 5 political parties (even the others) have plenty of room for Australians wishing to get involved in making decisions in our community. And if politics isn't you game, the military is always looking for keen officers.
So get involved by joining the forum (www.auserepublic.com), popping into IRC (irc.rizon.net:6667#ausrep) and experience social eAustralia.
Arthinian for IG!
that's great to hear infin. Some previous MoF's didn't keep the spreadsheets nor were able to give regular financial reports.
@infin so far you are describing the roles of the executive government not the legislative. Forgive me if my politics are a bit foggy but NES if valid in the first place are legislative.
@TJ No a dig at you is this. You are a RP fool who does more damage then good. Get off your high horse and start living with the real people. As for irc go ask people how often I "power trip" let alone use my powers. Nice try though you get an A for effort but an F on content.
the senate typically oversees the Executive in each of these areas, Jade. 😃DDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Oversees yes but not control. They keep the Gov in check (supposedly) 😉 but aren't necessary for the operation of the areas.
Well if you assume that the Executive is uncorrpuptable then you may very well be right Jade, you may very well be right.
touche` my good man touche`
Jade: Since you haven't done squat by way of getting to know me, your ignorance is hardly a qualification to make any sort of judgement. Until you make the effort, get back in your hole.
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