Election inquiry passes Upper House

Kingborough Chronicle |  July 6, 2021  

There is a potential win on the way for transparency and accountability in Tasmania, after Independent and Labor Members of Tasmania’s Upper House passed a motion to establish a Joint Select Committee, with broad terms of reference to inquire into the conduct of the 2021 State elections.

The motion passed the Upper House, eight votes to three, on Tuesday, June 29, with opposition from Liberal Members defeated.

Independent Member for Nelson, Meg Webb tabled a Notice of Motion to establish the Committee on June 22.

“Support for this motion, is a win for accountability, transparency and demonstrates a willingness to strengthen our democratic institutions” Ms Webb said.

“It was particularly significant that all Independent Members voted in support of the motion, as well as the Labor Members of the Legislative Council.

“This motion squarely prioritises the public interest over political self-interest.”

The Kingborough Chronicle wrote to elected local members of Parliament on June 23, after Independent Member for Nelson, Meg Webb, tabled a Notice of Motion to establish the Committee.

“Do you agree Tasmania’s Parliament should put in place a routine practice of conducting a Parliamentary review or inquiry after each election (as routinely done in other jurisdictions)?”

A spokesperson responded on behalf of Liberal Members Elise Archer MP, Jacquie Petrusma MP, Nic Street MP and Madeleine Ogilvie MP. “The Tasmanian Electoral Commission and the Electoral

Commissioner already have statutory responsibilities for the independent and impartial conduct of elections and referendums under the Electoral Act 2004.

“As there is already an impartial framework in place for conducting, administering and reviewing elections within Tasmania, the establishment of a Parliamentary Committee to enquire and report on the same thing would be duplication and unnecessary, and a waste of public resources.”

However, Ms Webb MLC said the Tasmanian community deserves to have confidence in electoral processes and to know that their Parliament is proactively working to deliver that confidence.

“This Committee, if supported in the Lower House, will provide a forum for people to have a voice, through asking questions, raising concerns and providing evidence,” stated Ms Webb.

“The Gutwein Liberal Government now has the opportunity to ‘walk the walk and talk the talk’ on accountability and transparency.

“I would hope it will be willing to participate in the Joint Select Committee rather than block this standard Parliamentary process.

“Governments of all political stripes in other states and in our Federal Parliament support and participate in similar routine election reviews.

“This motion asks all Members of Parliament to put partisan tribalism aside, and instead don the one set of colours that is Tasmania’s democracy.”

Read or watch Meg’s speech calling for an JSC to inquire into the 2021 elections