[Greens-Media] Greens: Bad laws risk from Labor*s end of year parliament rush

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 3 December 2008

Bad laws risk from Labor*s end of year parliament rush

Greens MP and parliamentary spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the Rees
government is diluting democracy by rushing through 19 bills in the
final three days of NSW Parliament and sitting into the early hours of
the morning.

*The NSW government has dribbled bills out through most of the year
but now it*s ramming through important legislation leaving very little
time for proper scrutiny,* Ms Rhiannon said.  

*Controversial laws governing V8s racing at Olympic Park, retirement
villages and the regulation of alcohol and gaming machines have all come
on in a screaming rush. 

*Late night sittings might help the government because there is less
time for MPs to analyse legislation, but it brings no credit on itself.
 
*The government*s schedule in these final few weeks is not
democracy in action, it*s legislation by exhaustion.
 
*NSW Parliament sat a meagre 50 days this year but in these last days
before it sits again in March nineteen bills will be debated and voted
on. 

*The government is treating parliament like a sausage making machine
when it should be a forum for thoughtful, measured debate.

*On Tuesday night the NSW Upper House sat until 2.20am and last
Wednesday we sat after midnight. It is expected we will also sit very
late tonight. 

*Even the most conscientious MP is tired and addled by these hours.

*MPs cannot do their job properly with the tight schedule the
government is imposing,* Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au