[Greens-Media] Government opposes ACT's constitutional rights

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Thursday, 14 September 2006

Government opposes ACT's constitutional rights

The Howard Government has opposed Greens Leader Bob Brown's bill to
remove the Prime Minister's "arrogant" power to override the elected
Parliament of the Australian Capital Territory.

Senator Brown argued that Section 122 of the Australian Constitution,
which gives power to the national "Parliament" to make laws for the
territories, was usurped when the Prime Minister decided, without
reference to the federal parliament, to override the ACT Stanhope
Government's civil unions act earlier this year.

The opposition supported Senator Brown's bill. 

"The government's control of the Senate means that it is poised to block
other ACT legislation in coming years. Blocking this bill means Mr
Howard, not the Parliament, will decide when to override the democratic
rights of the ACT," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au