Making Parliament more effective for the society it represents is a key motivator for an annual conference under way in Adelaide this week which Whanganui MP Chester Borrows will be attending.
Mr Borrows, who is also deputy Speaker of New Zealand's Parliament, is attending the Australasian Study of Parliament Group(ASPG) annual conference from Wednesday to Friday this week.
"Many of the elements of democracy are simply taken for granted each day, so it's a healthy thing to examine them regularly," Mr Borrows said.
The conference theme is the restoration and enhancement of Parliament's reputation and it will consider a wide range of issues or perceptions, including transparency in the disclosure of donations and the balance between security and public accessibility.
Also under the spotlight at the Adelaide event is the connection between Parliament and the people and the nature of the relationship between MPs and the media, and the accessibility of government information in general.
The ASPG is a non-partisan body established nearly 40 years ago to encourage research, writing, teaching and discussion about parliamentary institutions. Parliamentarians, parliamentary officers, academics, teachers, students and journalists make up the conference.
Mr Borrows is attending the conference with MP Kris Faafoi during the Parliamentary recess and will be back in Wellington in time for the start of Parliament next Tuesday.
