The MP said that financial constraints had prevented the committees which last week held public hearings on two proposed laws to expand their consultation beyond Windhoek.

The bills in question were the Children's Status Bill and the State-Owned Enterprises Bill.

"We're not a duplicating body, we're not here to be rubberstamps for anyone," Mensah-Williams told fellow members.

"If we can't get public input, how do we ensure that the laws we pass are in the best interest of the public? Parliament is for the people, so Parliament has to go to the people," she continued.

She said the committee that held public hearings on the SOE Bill didn't receive anything for their extra work besides snacks during the hearings.

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