CDI's fifth annual Responsible Parliamentary Government (RPG) course took place from 7 to 25 August 2006 in Canberra. The three-week program was managed for CDI by the Crawford School of Economics and Government at the Australian National University (ANU). As in 2005, the course was coordinated by CDI Associate Dr Stephen Sherlock.
The course was designed primarily for mid-level parliamentary officials and examined the fundamental principles and doctrines underlying the practice of responsible parliamentary government. Using the Australian Commonwealth Parliament as the principal example, the course covered issues including constitutional foundations, the main activities of parliament, and related structures for accountability and scrutiny of administration.
To foster cross-regional ties and learning, the Speaker's of selected Asian and Pacific parliaments were invited to nominate officials to participate in RPG. In 2006 there were 19 participants from eight countries - five from Indonesia, four from Papua New Guinea , two each from Fiji, Solomons, Thailand and Vietnam and one each from East Timor and Nauru .
As the major activity supported by CDI in the area of legislative strengthening, the RPG course has attracted increasing interest from parliaments in CDI target countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In its five years of existence, the course has now been undertaken by 84 senior and middle-level parliamentary officials.
