Parliament returns this week with portfolio committees and oversight having been programmed for the entire week.
Committee Meeting of interest this week:
On Tuesday, the 18th of April 2023, the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, (National Council of Provinces), will be briefed by Advocate Van der Merwe, the Senior Legal Adviser from the Legislative draft unit in Parliament on analysis in respect of the Constitutional Court judgement on Performers Protection Amendment Bill [B 24D-2016] and Copyright Amendment Bill [B 13D-2017].
This is of particular interest with the recent announcement by Netflix representatives which have this week reiterated their concerns about the pending Copyright Amendment Bill, saying it may lead to a decline in the number of production houses it gets obtains content from.
To give context, Netflix, a prominent global streaming service, has expressed concerns about the potential limitations on local production houses that may result from the bill’s proposed royalty payment system.
In its submission on the copyright bill in 2021, Netflix expressed support for fair remuneration for authors and audio-visual performers. Nevertheless, it believes that the proposed changes would increase legal and economic risks for producers and reduce opportunities for improving authors’ and performers’ remuneration.
This does create the risk of the proposed amendment bill having unintended consequences on the streaming service industry. As such, stakeholders, legislators, and content creators should work together to find a solution that protects fair remuneration, encourages local production, and fosters the growth of the industry. More on this topic can be found in the Sunday Times here.
Committee Programme
TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
- Portfolio Committee on Transport, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Transport on its 2023/24 Annual Performance Plan and Budget; Briefing by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) on its 2023/ 24 Annual Performance Plan and Budget; Consideration and adoption of draft Committee second term programme; Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings], Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, 09:00-14:30
- Select Committee on Health and Social Services, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Central Drug Authority (CDA) on the 2021/22 Annual Report and an update on the National Drug Master Plan; Consideration and Adoption of the Committee Annual Performance Plan 2023/2024; Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-12:30
- Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by Advocate Van der Merwe, the Senior Legal Adviser from the Legislative draft unit in Parliament on analysis in respect of the Constitutional Court judgement on Performers Protection Amendment Bill [B 24D-2016] and Copyright Amendment Bill [B 13D-2017]; Department of Trade, Industry and Competition will respond to the issues raised during public hearings; Briefing by the Department of Tourism and SA Tourism on its Annual Performers Plan and Strategic Plan; Consideration and adoption of Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-17:00
- Portfolio Committee on Health, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the analysis of the Health Sector Budget; Briefing by the Auditor General of South Africa on Annual Performance Plan (APP) reviews, Accountability Ecosystem and MI refresher; Briefing by the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year; and Briefing by the Office of Health Standards Compliance on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-20:00
WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
- Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, (National Assembly), [Briefings by Entities on the 2023/24 Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and Budget allocation, namely: Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB); Office of the Valuer-General (OVG); Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
- Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) and the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on their respective Annual Performance Plans and budgets for 2023/24], Taj Hotel, Cape Town, 09:00- 15:00
- Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on its Annual Performance Plan and Strategic Plan], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00
- Portfolio Committee on Health, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-17:00
THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 2023
- Portfolio Committee on Health, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the Medical Research Council (MRC) on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year], Virtual Meeting Platform, 14:00- 20:00
FRIDAY, 21 APRIL 2023
- Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Minister and the DTIC on its Strategic and Annual Performance Plans for 2023/24 financial year (Budget Vote)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
- Portfolio Committee on Health, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Health on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget for 2023/24 financial year], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00
