[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Bartlett Must Come Clean on MP Numbers Plan_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PREMIER MUST COME CLEAN ON LABOR'S ELECTORAL PLANS AND RULE OUT COSTLY
GRAB FOR POWER

Nick McKim MP
Greens Opposition Leader

Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today challenged Premier David Bartlett to reveal
whether he is aware of moves within Labor to change Tasmania's electoral
boundaries for House of Assembly elections, saying that such a move
would represent a desperate attempt to retain power.

Greens Opposition Leader Nick McKim MP said that he is still waiting for
a response from Mr Bartlett to the Greens' suggestion that the three
Party Leaders, along with Legislative Council President Sue Smith, meet
to discuss a process to restore MP numbers.

"Mr Bartlett id holding up a co-operative approach to the issue by his
recalcitrance and refusal to meet other political leaders," Mr McKim
said.

"The debate must be conducted publicly and with the utmost
transparency."

"Mr Bartlett must commit to a proper process to consider a way forward,
and the first step must be to meet other political leaders to discuss
the issue constructively."

"If Labor are working secretly on a plan to change the electoral
boundaries it would constitute a grab for power at the expense of
Tasmania's democracy."

"We know from Electoral Commissioner Bruce Taylor that such a move would
be highly expensive and the Greens believe the simplest and cheapest way
forward is to keep the electoral boundaries as they are and restore the
Parliament to its pre-1998 size."

 "Will Hodgman and Sue Smith have already agreed to the Greens' proposal
to meet to discuss a process to move the process forward, and it would
be a real concern if Labor was secretly and cynically running its own
agenda."

"I've have no doubt that if Labor is considering a plan to change the
number of electorates, it is motivated by self-interest, a desire to
hang onto power and to disadvantage the Greens," Mr McKim said.



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