Hon Speaker, the DA is not surprised by the ANC's negative response to our proposed Electoral Reform Bill. After all, it is here to introduce punitive measures to ensure that MPs even turn up for Parliament in the first place.
This much needed Bill would ensure that Members of Parliament are held directly accountable to those whom they represent, the voters of this country. This is why the ANC does not like the Bill. The governing party has allowed Parliament to be sidelined and for power and decision-making to be taken away from those who voted us into Parliament in the first place.
The DA's Electoral Amendment Bill will allow for 300 MPs to be elected from 100 constituencies across the country. Together with the addition of 100 MPs from a national list, the constitutional principle of proportionality would be given effect to.
The ANC's Chief Whip says that the ANC will not discourage debates on this important issue. He must now match his words with action. If the ANC is serious about ensuring that this House is accountable to the people, it will support any effort to make Parliament work better for all South Africans and to restore our citizens' faith in representative politics. I thank you. [Applause.]