Kuldeep Singh Pathania for strengthening parliamentary standards at Commonwealth Conference

At the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney, Australia, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania highlighted the importance of strengthening parliamentary institutions through benchmarking, standards, and best practices. Addressing hundreds of representatives, including presiding officers from around the world, Pathania underscored the need for legislative effectiveness, transparency, and public engagement to uphold democratic governance.

Pathania stressed that the role of the Speaker or Chairman carries significant power and responsibility, critical in ensuring accountability and representation within the parliamentary system. He pointed to the Indian Parliament as a cornerstone of democracy, reflecting the country’s diverse cultures, languages, and regional interests, which necessitates coalition-building and compromise for stable governance.

He further emphasised that to meet the evolving demands of constituents, parliaments must adopt global best practices. This includes establishing benchmarking standards that guide public representatives in responsibly voicing their views. Pathania noted that while legislators are free to express their opinions within the House, such freedom must align with the principles of integrity and accountability essential to parliamentary democracy.