[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Act On MPs Numbers Inquiry Recommendation_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

GREENS MOVE FOR MP NUMBERS INDEPENDENT INQUIRY

As Joint House Select Committee Recommended

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader

Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today moved for an independent inquiry to be
established to investigate whether or not there should be an increase of
the number of Members of Parliament, as recommended by the Joint House
Select Committee on Ethical Conduct last month.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that the Joint House Select Committee
had confirmed the feeling of disquiet from the broader public and
business community that the 1998 reduction in the size of Parliament had
inflicted a negative impact on the standards of government and the
effectiveness of the Parliament.

"Over ten years have passed since the cut to MPs numbers in the
Parliament, and there is growing consensus that the reduction has
adversely impacted on the ability of the Parliament to fulfil its
functions effectively, and properly represent the people who elect it,"
Mr McKim said.

"The Joint House Select Committee on Ethical Conduct found that the size
of the Tasmanian Parliament is worthy of consideration and made a
specific recommendation that an independent inquiry be conducted into
increasing MP numbers."

"Premier Bartlett has been quiet about all of the Joint House Select
Committee recommendations, and Tasmanians deserve to know whether he
intends to act on this serious and significant recommendation." 


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Text of Motion Tabled by Nick McKim MP:

That this House notes that:

1. Ten years have elapsed since the passage of the Parliamentary Reform
Act 1998,  which reduced the number of Members of both Houses of this
Parliament;

2. The impacts of the reduction of numbers of Members on the capacity of
this Parliament to serve the people has never been reviewed;

3. The of the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct has recommended
that an independent inquiry be conducted into:-

a. whether or not there should be an increase of the number of members
elected to the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly;

b. if an increase is recommended, to report on the way such increase
should be achieved; and

c. any matters incidental thereto.

And therefore that the House agrees that such an independent inquiry
should be held.





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