Democracy Tasmania
Our MPs commitment to us
Neil Smith
We should first point out their commitment to paragraph 2 “To our constituents, we owe honesty, accessibility, accountability, courtesy and understanding.” And then pop your questions &hellip
Geraldine Allan (#22) – have you actually attempted to quiz all or any of the members of the House of Assembly in the way you suggest? If so, did you receive any replies?
For quite some time I tried unsuccessfully to find out just what exactly members did commit themselves to. I thank you for uncovering it.
Now, even though we can probably expect replies laden with motherhood statements, I think it might be quite useful to attempt to conduct such a quiz. Looking on the bright side, a few quality replies might help identify some members worth supporting. As to the rest – maybe one more small straw to help break the camel’s back.
Perhaps 20 to 30 citizens could volunteer as inquisitors – I’d be most happy to add my name to yours and others. Multiple questioners could less readily be ignored.
We should first point out their commitment to paragraph 2 “To our constituents, we owe honesty, accessibility, accountability, courtesy and understanding.” They must therefore reply. Otherwise, we can at least say publicly that we asked – and received NO recognition that there was any need for accessibility or courtesy (honesty etc aside for the moment).
We then say that all replies will be made public. Anyone who just sends out the form reply cooked up by his or her Party will look suitably silly.
And then pop your questions:
Currently and specifically,
(1) How do you fulfill your obligations to the highest ethical standards,
(2) How do you discharge your duties to the highest ethical standards
(3) Are you satisfied with the manner in which you fulfill your obligations and discharge your duties in accordance with your Parliamentary oath?
We might include a fourth one: (4) Do you feel that fulfilling your obligations and discharging your duties to the highest ethical standards conflicts in any way with the expectations placed on you by the political party to which you belong?
Let’s give it a go. Nothing to lose.