Opinion – Election reviews should be a routine priority

Opinion | Examiner | June 27, 2021   

In most industries, to regularly review your processes is standard practice – that’s the way you identify issues and opportunities, learn lessons and drive improvement.

Politics should be no different. Tasmanians deserve no less when it comes to maintaining our democracy in the best shape possible.

For that reason, I have called for a Joint Select Committee inquiry into the 2021 elections for the House of Assembly and Legislative Council.

A Joint Select Committee will deliver a general review of the administration and conduct of the recent elections, as opposed to their outcomes.

It is in the public interest to strengthen our democracy and should be a matter of routine priority, just as it is in the Federal Parliament.

It’s time for our State Parliament to follow suit and provide a vehicle for Tasmanian citizens and expert stakeholders to raise concerns, provide evidence and suggest improvements or solutions.

It is particularly important for our Parliament to show leadership and accountability, given the fact we have now had two elections in a row that have given rise to community questions, concerns and eroded the confidence of Tasmanian citizens in

I can already hear the Naysayers: “Move on … accept the results etc.”

I do accept the result, the return of the Liberal Government in the Lower House and the results in Derwent and Windemere, but this inquiry is the only responsible course of action to put serious and genuine concerns to rest and work to ensure they need not arise again.

Many everyday Tasmanians were made both angry and frustrated by the elections, as well as many State political experts and commentators.

When such a range of persistent and real concerns are raised, it goes to the heart of the integrity of Tasmanian democracy and governance.

To sweep those issues under the carpet would be both disrespectful and a grave disservice to the State.

Therefore, the Tasmanian Parliament must accept its responsibility to act on behalf of the overall community.

The proposed Joint Select Committee will provide a fair and equitable representation of all sides of politics and independents. It will be up the Liberal Government to choose to participate in good faith.

There is no reason to baulk at this proposal, unless you prefer your democracy under the cloud of unresolved questions and are happy to see public confidence plummet when it come to the governance of Tasmania.

Elections are a fundamental right of the Tasmanian people.

We are now seeing a pattern of Tasmanian voters losing confidence in the integrity of our elections and their politicians.

The 2021 elections raised a number of concerns, including:

• The legitimacy of the rationale for calling an early election for the House of Assembly
• Potential voter disenfranchisement, with a failure to provide Legislative Council ballot papers at voting booths beyond the borders of Windemere and Derwent
• Issues with the preselection and subsequent resignation of Adam Brooks

We should be able to say that integrity, accountability and transparency are our core business.

A Joint Select Committee is an important step in making that the truth.

Read Meg’s Motion calling for a Joint Select Committee to consider the 2021 State and Legislative Council Elections