[Greens-Media] PARNELL: One Minister Hinders SA Upper House

[Parnell]

Media Release
Tuesday 3rd May 2011


Only One Minister in Upper House makes mockery of Parliament


The Greens have called on the Rann Government to immediately increase Ministerial representation in the Upper House in the wake of the resignation of Minister Bernard Finnigan.

"Leaving the passage of every Bill, and the answering of every single question in question time, to just one person is a joke," said Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell MLC.

"The work of Parliament will slow down significantly.  And the important role the Upper House plays as a watchdog to keep the Government accountable will be hindered.

"The Rann Government seems to have forgotten that any changes to South Australian law need to pass through BOTH Houses of Parliament in a timely fashion," he said.

In response to a question today from Greens MLC Tammy Franks, Minister Gail Gago would not say how long she would remain the only Minister, nor how long she would be only "acting leader" of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Minister Gago, in addition to her 6 Ministerial portfolios, will represent an additional 13 Ministers and nearly 40 other portfolios in the Upper House.



For more information contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

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