[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Labor Votes Down Ethics Committee Inquiry Recommendation_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

LABOR VOTES DOWN KEY RECOMMENDATION OF ETHICS COMMITTEE

Puts Electoral Self-Interest Over Outcomes for Tasmania

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader

Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said that Labor's decision to vote down a key
recommendation of the Ethics Committee by opposing an independent
inquiry into the size of the Tasmanian Parliament confirms that it
values electoral self interest over good outcomes for Tasmania.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that it is widely recognised that the
reduction in the size of the Parliament in 1998 has resulted in a
reduction in people's access to their political representatives, more
highly paid, unaccountable advisors, and a shallow talent pool from
which to source Ministers.

"Mr Bartlett has now voted against a key recommendation of the Ethical
Conduct Committee, which must call into question whether this government
will deliver an Integrity Commission with the necessary teeth," Mr McKim
said.

"Mr Bartlett's can have all the ten-point plans that he likes, but when
he continually rejects crucial recommendations of a Parliamentary
Committee that he claims to have personally established, his commitment
to reform is exposed as a sham." 

"There is no doubt that the politically motivated decision to emasculate
the House of Assembly in 1998 has resulted in poor decisions, more
unaccountable minders, and a Parliament that simply does not function
effectively."

"Some of the people in Labor's current ministry are living, breathing
arguments in favour of increasing the size of the House of Assembly."

 "An independent inquiry would in effect be a ten-year review of the
highly contentious 1998 Act, something that no reasonable person should
oppose."

"This decision embodies the arrogance that Labor has developed after
eleven years in absolute power."

"We welcome the Liberal's support for this call for an independent
inquiry, and the fact that they had supported the 1998 cut in numbers
but are now big enough to admit that was a mistake serves to highlight
that Labor's refusal to implement the Ethical Conduct Committee
recommendation on this matter is politically motivated."




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