Stacking the Upper House

Will Hodgman
Mr Hodgman said the fact that ALP state secretary John Dowling had warned that would-be Upper House “Independent Labor” candidate, Kathryn Hay, could face disciplinary action if she worked against the interests of the Labor Party indicated that the people of Windemere would get a Labor member in everything but name if they elected her. But it is telling that after ten years of Labor incompetence and instability, Ms Hay – like Latrobe Mayor Mike Gaffney – want nothing to do with the Labor brand when it comes to promoting their election campaigns.

Will Hodgman MP
Leader of the State Opposition
Monday February 2, 2009

Stacking the Upper House

The State Opposition is concerned the Labor Party is seeking to bring about its long-held desire to water down the Upper House by stacking it with Labor members.

Leader of the State Opposition, Will Hodgman, has also reiterated the Tasmanian Liberals’ strong belief that Tasmanians want their Upper House to remain an independent house of review to provide checks and balances on the government of the day.

The Upper House has caused considerable discomfort for the Labor Government of late, particularly through the dirt it has uncovered in its inquiries into public sector appointments.

“The last thing Tasmania needs is for the Upper House to become a rubber stamp for this arrogant and incompetent Labor Government,” Mr Hodgman said.

“We know that Labor wants to water down the powers of the Upper House and stacking it full of Labor party members such as Kathryn Hay would bring the Labor Party a step closer to fulfilling this long-held desire.”

The Tasmanian Labor Party platform states that the Legislative Council needs to be reformed and that Labor will begin the process of reform if it wins the 2010 election.

Premier David Bartlett has refused to rule out watering down the powers of the Upper House before or after 2010.

Last year, when Mr Bartlett attended a gala Greens’ celebration of the Franklin Dam decision, he was also warned by former Labor Premier, Doug Lowe, about the powers of the Legislative Council.

“David, one of the greatest problems you may always face while that power is there is the hard hand of the Legislative Council.” Mr Lowe said.

Premier Bartlett also didn’t even bother to consult with the Upper House over policy-on-the-run reforms he moved to implement last year that were seen as undermining the chamber. The so-called reforms suffered a spectacular defeat.

Mr Hodgman said the fact that ALP state secretary John Dowling had warned that would-be Upper House “Independent Labor” candidate, Kathryn Hay, could face disciplinary action if she worked against the interests of the Labor Party indicated that the people of Windemere would get a Labor member in everything but name if they elected her.

But it is telling that after ten years of Labor incompetence and instability, Ms Hay – like Latrobe Mayor Mike Gaffney – want nothing to do with the Labor brand when it comes to promoting their election campaigns.

W: www.willhodgman.com.au