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The Government announced today (August 2) that, in accordance with section 4 of the Legislative Council Ordinance, the Chief Executive in Council has specified October 1, 2012, as the commencement date of the fifth term of office of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (fifth term LegCo).
"The fourth term LegCo will end on September 30, 2012. Commencing the fifth term LegCo on October 1, 2012, will ensure that the LegCo's term of office ends and commences on a back-to-back basis," a government spokesman said.
Under section 9(2) of the Ordinance, the Chief Executive has specified October 10, 2012, as the date on which the 2012-13 legislative session is to begin. The Chief Executive has also specified October 10, 2012, at 11am as the date and time for holding the first meeting of the fifth term LegCo in accordance with section 10(1) of the Ordinance.
Notices announcing the commencement date of the fifth term LegCo, the commencement date of the 2012-13 legislative session, and the date and time of holding the first meeting of the fifth term LegCo will be published in the Government Gazette.
The Government also announced today that the Chief Executive will deliver his first Policy Address on January 16, 2013, in order to allow time for full consultation with Members of the fifth term LegCo.
"2012 is the year when the change of the term of Government and that of LegCo coincides, and the current term LegCo has been prorogued since July 18, 2012. It is our wish to foster a constructive partnership with LegCo on the formulation of the Policy Address. In order to allow sufficient time for a full-fledged consultation with Members of the new term LegCo, the Chief Executive will deliver his first Policy Address in January 2013," the spokesman said.
"The Chief Executive has already pledged that measures which could improve people's livelihood will be announced as and when they are ready, instead of waiting for the Policy Address. Therefore, deferring the first Policy Address to January 2013 will not delay implementation of the manifesto of the Chief Executive," the spokesman said.
"The Chief Executive intends to address LegCo on October 17, 2012, to elaborate on his concept of governance, review progress made in the first three months of the fourth term Government, and outline his policy directions and work priorities in 2013. This will provide a basis for extensive consultation in preparation for the Policy Address," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, August 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:01
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