TCCI’s parliament reform plan lashed
THE state’s peak business body has been accused by the Greens of being “undemocratic” over its submission on how to restore state parliament to 35 seats.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey has written to Premier Jeremy Rockliff saying seven five-seat electorates is the way forward rather than simply adding two members to each of the existing five electorates.
“Maintaining the current electoral boundaries and the number of electorates alongside the restoration of the House of Assembly would not produce members who can most effectively represent their constituencies,” he wrote.
“We believe that state politics is meant to be closer to the community than federal politics and for that reason the use of federal electoral boundaries does not represent the diversity of interests within the Tasmanian community.” Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said there was a reason business was adverse to the simpler approach.
‘This is a process which would take a number of years, require extensive consultation, a boundary redraw, and be extremely costly,” she said.
“The alternative is simply to introduce and pass legislation that reverses the damage done in 1998, and restores the numbers to 35 at the next state election, without any extra cost.
“The TCCI is entitled to its view but this is so transparent: this is undemocratic and it’s about their fear of Greens and independent voices after the next election.
“We’re calling on the Premier to resist this pressure and do what we believe he intended to do and that is simply to restore the numbers to 35 under the existing seat boundaries.” Independent MLC Meg Webb said the TCCI’s approach would make it harder for candidates outside the major parties, who made a valuable contribution in both houses. “We know clearly that cutting numbers of the lower house was an effort to get rid of minor parties and independents,” she said.
“It would be highly ironic to see a restoration be driven by the same intent – which is exactly what we would see if we were switching to seven electorates of five members.
“It’s a blatant attempt to minimise the chances of minor parties and independents getting elected into our House of Assembly.
“Every independent and parliamentary inquiry that’s been done on the best model for our Hare-Clark system tells us that seven-member electorates is the best way to represent the intent of the community.” Liberal MP Guy Barnett said a decision on the form of the future parliament was still some time off.
“The Premier’s made it very clear that we will increase the size of parliament to 35,” he said. “With respect to the structure of that parliament that has not been agreed upon.
“I appreciate the feedback from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and indeed other entities and people in the community and I’m sure that when there’s further announcements to be made, that will be made clear.”
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