The ACDP calls into question the President's decision to have the opening of Parliament on Thursday night:

"This last minute decision has been taken unilaterally by the ANC without interaction with either party whips or the public as to the benefits or disadvantages.

The reason given for the decision is that it will enable workers and school children who do not have access to TV at the usual time of the proceedings, is not convincing. The ACDP calls on the President to be transparent in this matter and fully explain the reasoning behind this impulsive change of what has been the tradition since the first democratic parliament.

The speech that the President gave on January 08, at the ANC legkotla was rebroadcast a few times on both SABC and ETV. This could also be done with the opening of Parliament and the State of the Nation Address.

The ACDP believes the opening of Parliament at night is going to be a very costly exercise, impacting on security, transport for staff and overtime pay. It will also negatively affect families as staff and MP's will need to make additional arrangements for the care of their children.

The government is again being wasteful and extravagant in their expenditure.

The ACDP believes that Parliament should be opened during normal business hours, as it happens all over the world. We are not people of the night but we are the people of the light".