By joint release of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary-General
THE PARLIAMENTARY GAZETTE
VOLUME I
Compiled in New Richmond and Terentia in the year of the consulship of Adam Rex and Victoria Hathawia Comitessa Sidneae, anno Domini 2017
FOREWORD
My fellow Austenasians,
Last month, the House of Representatives voted to enact the Government Accountability Act 2017, a bill I presented in the hopes of fulfilling my goal of strengthening and securing Austenasian democracy and effective governance. The Act calls for various reports to be published throughout the year from multiple government offices and bodies, including this Gazette.
The Empire of Austenasia is a bastion of both direct and representative democracy in the community of small nations, and we pride ourselves on having an effective and accountable government. To maintain the government of the Empire as a government of the people, all subjects should take it upon themselves to stay informed— of the decisions which are made by their representatives in Parliament, by their elected Prime Minister and his government. This Gazette exists to chronicle the activities of the House of Representatives, the principle legislative body of the Empire, and serves as an example of this new era of government transparency and accountability.
God bless you all, and God save the Emperor.
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
Prime Minister
Home Secretary
Secretary-General
Representative for New Richmond
JANUARY
On 21 January 2017, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXI Jon. I 2017 (Foreign Affairs) to the floor.
Lord Peter Palaiologos, Count of Mentavlos, moved to amend Section 3 of the bill in question. The amendment was approved, and the amended bill was then called to a vote. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
Lord Peter Palaiologos, Count of Mentavlos
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 25 January 2017.
On 26 January 2017, Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia presented LXXII Jon. I 2017 (Imperial Engagement Day) to the floor.
Lord Peter Palaiologos, Count of Mentavlos, moved to amend Section 3 of the bill in question. The amendment was opposed, and the original bill was then called to a vote. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
Lord Rear Admiral Alastair Cranston, Duke of New Virginia
The following representatives voted in opposition:
-
Lord Peter Palaiologos, Count of Mentavlos
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 30 January 2017.
FEBRUARY
On 9 February 2017, local elections were held in the Cities of Wrythe and New Richmond for the offices of Representative and Mayor.
HIM Emperor Jonathan I was unanimously re-elected Representative of Wrythe and Emperor Father Terry was unanimously elected Mayor of Wrythe with a 75% turnout. HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia was unanimously re-elected Representative of New Richmond and Countess Victoria Hathaway of Sydney was unanimously elected Mayor of New Richmond with a 100% turnout.
On 28 February 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXIII Jon. I 2017 (Bribery) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lady Strawberry Easton, Baroness of Thanasia
FEBRUARY (cont.)
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Terentia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 4 March 2017.
MARCH
In the month of March, no legislation was presented and no elections for representatives or the Speaker of the House were held.
APRIL
On 17 April 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXIV Jon. I 2017 (Adoption) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lady Strawberry Easton, Baroness of Thanasia
The following representatives voted in opposition:
-
Lord Peter Palaiologos, Count of Mentavlos
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 4 May 2017.
MAY
In the month of May, no legislation was presented and no elections for representatives or the Speaker of the House were held.
JUNE
On 12 June 2017, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia presented LXXV Jon. I 2017 (Empire of Austenasia) to the floor. The bill in question was notable for its proposed cessation of the towns of Zephyria, Thanasia and Porthbokon to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which would result in the number of representatives changing from nine to six. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord Peter Palaiologos, Count of Mentavlos
-
Lady Strawberry Easton, Baroness of Thanasia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 14 June 2017. Lord Marshal William, Baron of Zephyria; Lady Strawberry Easton, Baroness of Thanasia; and Lady Evren Filgert, Duchess of Dumnonia withdrew from the House of Representatives in accordance with the Act.
JUNE (cont.)
On 20 June 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXVI Jon. I 2017 (State Religion) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, however the Speaker granted Lord Adam, Duke of Washington the chance to address the House of Representatives as a non-voting delegate of the Crown Dependency of Oregonia, in opposition of the bill. HIM Emperor Jonathan I then spoke in favor of the bill. The Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 21 June 2017.
JULY
On 8 July 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXVII Jon. I 2017 (Hoagland) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 10 July 2017.
On 17 July 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXVIII Jon. I 2017 (Imperial Titles) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 21 July 2017.
AUGUST
On 4 August 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LXXIX Jon. I 2017 (Territorial Changes) to the floor. The bill in question was notable for its proposed admission of Jovanovo and Ionisia, inhabited areas of land in Montenegro and Greece respectively, to the Empire as Towns, which would result in the number of representatives changing from six to eight. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 6 August 2017. Iron Lord Daniel Dankovsky, Duke of Dalmatia and HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia took their places in the House as the new representatives of Jovanovo and Ionisia respectively.
AUGUST (cont.)
On 16 August 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I announced that a local election would take place in the towns of Ionisia and Jovanovo on 6 September 2017.
On 20 August 2017, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia requested the prayers of the House for the father of Countess Victoria Hathaway of Sydney, who suffered various severe burns to the face and body.
On 26 August 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LLXXX Jon. I 2017 (Foreign Relations) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Iron Lord Daniel Dankovsky, Duke of Dalmatia
-
HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia
-
Lord John Gordon, Baron of Palasia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Baron of Terentia
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent later that day.
SEPTEMBER
On 3 September 2017, the Prime Minister, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia, announced to the House that the Emperor had fallen ill and appointed Lord Adam, Duke of Washington and himself to serve as Counsellors of State. Their appointment was terminated on 9 September 2017.
On 6 September 2017, local elections were held in the Towns of Ionisia and Jovanovo for the offices of Representative.
HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia was unanimously elected Representative of Ionisia with 100% turnout. Iron Lord Daniel Dankovsky, Duke of Dalmatia, was unanimously elected Representative of Jovanovo with 100% turnout. Both had previously served as the Acting Representatives of their respective towns following their annexation.
On 14 September 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LLXXXI (Antiquities) to the floor. The Speaker granted Lord Adam, Duke of Washington permissionto address the House regarding concerns with the wording of the initial draft. The Emperor amended the bill with the support of the House. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia
-
Iron Lord Daniel Dankovsky, Duke of Dalmatia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Duke of Bernardston
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 27 September 2017.
OCTOBER
On 29 October 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LLXXXII Jon. I 2017 (Rushymia) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Iron Lord Daniel Dankovsky, Duke of Dalmatia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Duke of Bernardston
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 31 October 2017
NOVEMBER
On 11 November 2017, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia presented LLXXXIII Jon. I 2017 (Government Accountability) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord John Gordon, Viscount of Thetford
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Duke of Bernardston
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 13 November 2017.
On 13 November 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LLXXXIV Jon. I 2017 (Shineshore) to the floor. The bill in question was notable for its proposed cessation of the Town of Shineshore to Canada, which would result in the number of representatives changing from eight to seven. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
Lord John Gordon, Viscount of Thetford
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
HRH Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia
-
Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Duke of Bernardston
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 18 November 2017. Lord Rear Admiral Alastair Cranston, Duke of New Virginia withdrew from the House of Representatives in accordance with the Act.
DECEMBER
On 9 December 2017, HIM Emperor Jonathan I presented LLXXXV Jon. I 2017 (Monuments and Heritage) to the floor. The following representatives voted in support:
-
HIM Emperor Jonathan I
-
HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia
-
Lord John Gordon, Viscount of Thetford
-
Lord Admiral Jacob Lewis, Duke of Bernardston-
The bill was declared passed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Emperor granted Imperial Consent on 12 December 2017.
SCHEDULE
The Prime Minister, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia’s address to the House of Representatives regarding the Empire of Austenasia Act 2017
My fellow Austenasians,
Before I propose this act, I would like to make a brief statement in behalf of the Imperial Government.
The primary purpose of this legislation is to dissolve the Towns of Zephyria, Thanasia and Porthbokon. The dissolution of the first two is with the advice and consent of the Representatives of those towns, and the dissolution of the third is due to the fact that we have been unable to contact their Representative for months now.
This should not be misinterpreted as a sign of the Empire stagnating – the Government is working on a series of reforms that will soon be presented, and first among those reforms is guaranteeing that the House of Representatives will be comprised of active Representatives who will actually partake in the governance of our beloved Empire.
Lord Adam, Duke of Washington’s address to the House of Representatives regarding the State Religion Act 2017.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to address this honorable House.
I seldom speak publicly on internal Austenasian affairs not affecting Oregonia or the services I provide the Prime Minister, but I am very passionate about religious rights, and so I feel compelled to make brief remarks on this Act.
To begin, I see no problem at all with a small nation having a state religion. Affiliation with such a state as ours is voluntary in all cases. That being said, I see tremendous ethical problems with a small nation like Austenasia *gaining* a state religion. Although the majority of us are Christians and Christianity has a strong ceremonial role in the Monarchy, in making the Christian faith the state religion, we would fundamentally alter the character of the state from a secular one to a sectarian one. The Empire’s various subjects joined with the impression that this was a secular state, and what the House seeks to do is make these individuals subject to a different sort of polity than they had previously wanted to join.
This seems no great bother for the majority of Austenasians, as evidenced by the overwhelming support shown in the foregoing vote, but I am concerned for the Empire’s religious minorities. Their government now openly favors a faith they do not share – as I just noted, not part of the bargain when they became subjects. While this Act guarantees their constitutional freedom to practice non-Christian religion or irreligion, I think the substance of the measure unjust to them, as elevating Christianity in law implies that the state looks down on their other belief systems.
Under this Act, I would probably be considered a member of a minority, frowned-upon religion, which the census (and the Order of St. Constantine) counts as Christian, but whose beliefs are often not classed as trinitarian. This law tells me, as an Austenasian Latter-day Saint, that I am not as valued by this government as if I were Methodist, or Anglican, or Catholic. I mention this to prove that I am not speaking from a place of vicarious self-righteousness, but as someone being proverbially slapped in the face by this Act.
I see especially strong potential problems with section 5. This provision gives the Emperor and his successors the unprecedented legal authority to use the power and influence of the Throne to promote whatever specific doctrines they may choose, or to publicly and officially condemn the beliefs of their own subjects. All of this could reasonably result from making it an Imperial right to expound the Christian faith and defend from “doctrinal attack.” I argue that the very possibility of this becoming an official practice of the Austenasian Monarchy is in contravention of the 2011 Constitution’s guarantee that all may practice their faith free from persecution.
I point also to the Constitution’s promise that nobody shall be unfairly privileged on the basis of religion. The text does not extend itself purely to privilege in state employment, political rights, or anything else formal; it is an unqualified decree that religion shall not be a basis for unfair privilege. This Act gives Christianity, or whatever sects thereof a sitting Emperor or Empress may deem suitably trinitarian, unfair social privilege by using the power of the state to enforce the already-existing social supremacy Christians enjoy in Austenasian society.
I have no institutional standing to oppose this law, but hope the honorable Representatives understand my misgivings. If all Imperial subjects were aware of this Act, I do not think I would be the only dissenting voice.
HIM Emperor Jonathan I’s response to Lord Adam, Duke of Washington’s address
Thank you for expressing your concerns, your Majesty. It is seldom that we see statements of such substance being made in Parliament, and we are glad that you did so. Please allow us to address your concerns.
All those who have joined Austenasia from, shall we say, a year into our reign (this would include all but nine of the Empire’s non-Christians), would have known – should they have looked into what they were joining – that the Empire already had a culture that was effectively Christian in many ways. The wording of laws, those days celebrated as public holidays, and state symbols all give that away. The Chi-Ro has had a prominent place on our coat of arms since 2011, and our own coronation utilized numerous Christian elements.
Christianity has since the Empire’s founding been used as an inspiration for holidays, symbols and ceremonies, and little will change with the passing of this Act.
In regards to your own position as a Latter-day Saint Christian, the wording of the Act simply says that the Christianity which is the state religion of the Empire is “Trinitarian”: should you believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are a Christian in the eyes of the government. This is regardless of one’s specific understanding of said Trinity, otherwise the filioque, modalism, and all sorts of differing theologies would come into play.
We disagree with your interpretation of Paragraph 5. If we consider the position of the Pontifex Maximus, they have official encouragement from the government to promote whatever theological positions they wish, yet their words do not become law nor do they define the Empire’s position on matters of religion. This paragraph simply adds governmental sanction when our Imperial Majesty does a similar thing in regards to Christianity. In accordance with Paragraph 4, Subsection A, we would not use this position to make arguments between different denominations. Our duty would be to “defend Christianity from doctrinal attacks”, not make doctrinal attacks on other religions in the first place; should somebody criticise Christianity, we would offer an intellectual response, and we do not see that as a means of persecution as it is commonly understood.
Ultimately, this Act has recieved unanimous support from the majority of the House, and so we shall not refrain from granting Imperial Consent. However, we do understand your misgivings, and sincerely pledge to ensure that they are not realised. Indeed, we shall consider – and would value your input in – the creation of an ombudsman-like position with the role of ensuring that no cases of religious discrimination take place after the passing of this Act.
HIM Emperor Jonathan I’s announcement regarding the September 2017 local election
In accordance with Section B of Article V of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, we hereby give formal notice of three weeks that a Local Election will take place on 6 September later this year in Ionisia and in Jovanovo. Until 23 August later this month, any willing subject (or non-residential subject who fulfils the criteria set out in Paragraph 10 of the New Richmond and Shineshore Act 2014) may stand for election to run for the office of Representative of their Town, and may use the time between 23 August and 6 September to campaign to persuade the subjects of their Town to vote for them. On 6 September 2017, all subjects willing of Ionisia and of Jovanovo shall go to ballot stations organised by their respective Town Council to cast a vote for who they wish to be their Representative. Votes shall be delivered to, counted and verified by Our Imperial Majesty in our capacity as Secretary-General, and the results sent to the incumbent Representatives of each Town. On 7 September, the results of the Local Election shall be announced in each Town by the individual who was its Acting Representative before the Local Election; the victors of each vote shall become each Town’s Representative.
The Prime Minister, HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia, requests prayers for the father of Countess Victoria Hathaway of Sydney
This is not in relation to the presentation of a bill for consideration, however as long as the Speaker does not mind I would like to ask my fellow Representatives to keep the father of Countess Victoria of Sydney, Mayor of New Richmond and my romantic partner, in your prayers. He has survived a gas explosion, albeit with severe burns over most of his upper body and face. Thank you in advance, and God save the Emperor.
The Prime Minister’s Office announces the appointment of HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia and Lord Adam, Duke of Washington as Counsellors of State
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has recently been hospitalized due to a serious illness, and as such he has appointed the Prime Minister and Lord Adam, Duke of Washington to serve as Counsellors of State, jointly exercising the powers of the Throne.
The illness which afflicts the Emperor is not yet known to anyone outside of the Imperial Family, however the Counsellors of State ask all Austenasians and members of the international and MicroWiki communities to pray for the well-being of the Emperor.
The Parliamentary Gazette is a legally-mandated annual report which records and publicizes all actions of the Parliament of the Empire of Austenasia, including the presentation of bills, voting records for bills, major speeches, election results for representatives and for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, etc. etc. etc.
The Parliamentary Gazette is released by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary-General in conjunction on a date of their choosing in the month of December of every year, in accordance with LXXXIII Jon. I 2017 (Government Accountability), Sections 7 and 8. The Parliamentary Gazette is accessible to all Austenasian subjects and residents upon request from their local Representative, Margrave or Marchioness, Governor or Governing Commissioner at no cost to the recipient.
This volume of the Parliamentary Gazette was released on 28 December 2017 by Speaker of the House of Representatives Lord Admiral Eren Lewis, Duke of Bernardston and Secretary-General HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia.