Media Release: Liberal-JLN Agreement Sells Parliament and Voters Short

Liberal-JLN Agreement Sells Parliament and Voters Short

11 April 2024

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said the Jacquie Lambie Network (JLN) MPs should use the narrow window before the Rockliff government is recommissioned to walk away from the Agreement, and retain the full value of their vote on the floor of Parliament, on the grounds that it was not negotiated in full good faith.

“The Agreement between the JLN MPs and presumptive-Premier Rockliff is beyond shocking, for the voters who had hoped for a new political approach, and for anyone with an interest in our democratic parliamentary practices,” Ms Webb said.

“Confidence and supply arrangements are rightly described by political commentators as the crown jewels in any holdings of cross-bench MPs, and should not be squandered lightly.

“Despite the JLN MPs committing to “delivering on their promise to ensure greater transparency, accountability and integrity in our Parliament”, this agreement will see the JLN being the apologists for ongoing government secrecy, unaccountability and lack of integrity.

“The JLN MPs are now shackled in a way that will prevent them from delivering or strengthening transparency, accountability or integrity, or policy reforms, in a meaningful or timely manner across a range of matters important to the community.

“Worryingly, this deal undermines the parliamentary power and flexibility a cross-bench should be protecting, to ensure the Executive Government of the day is answerable to the Parliament.

“The JLN MPs have signed away their right to vote to require the government to abide by a vote of Parliament.  For example, they would have to vote down a motion requiring the tabling of AFL stadium documents, which the previous Parliament passed.

“They would have to vote down a motion requiring the timely mandated introduction of CCTV cameras in abattoirs, which the previous Parliament passed.

“The JLN will also have to vote down any motion requiring the Premier to face a parliamentary scrutiny committee for potentially misleading hearings into the implementation of recommendations from the Child Abuse Commission of Inquiry.

“While the JLN MPs may be able to claim inexperience, Mr Rockliff cannot.  The Liberal Party will be very well aware of the extent to which they have shackled the new JLN MPs to undermine the potential cross-bench influence.

Ms Webb said that a prima facie reading of the Agreement indicates that potential bad faith participation on behalf of some participants cannot be ruled out.

“On the face of it, the potentially bad faith con that has been perpetuated on the new MPs, means they would be in their rights to reconsider, and either formally request renegotiations are undertaken as a matter of urgency, or walk away.

“The lack of meaningful reforms, and the deliberate neutralising of an effective cross-bench cohort, demonstrates a successful con job.

“It will be very interesting to see whether any other Assembly Independent will be prepared to enter into any formal arrangement with the Liberals after seeing the JLN reduced to a rubber-stamp under this agreement.

“It will not be surprising to see the Liberals have to enter Parliament with only 17MPs signed up to support them taking the government benches,” Ms Webb said.

View here, or read below: Analysis of the ‘Confidence and Stability Agreement’ between Jeremy Rockliff and the Parliamentary Members of the JLN, released on 10 April 2024