NICK McKIM, Greens Leader, MR
As Joint House Select Committee Recommended

The Tasmanian Greens today moved for an independent inquiry to be established to investigate whether or not there should be an increase of the number of Members of Parliament, as recommended by the Joint House Select Committee on Ethical Conduct last month.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that the Joint House Select Committee had confirmed the feeling of disquiet from the broader public and business community that the 1998 reduction in the size of Parliament had inflicted a negative impact on the standards of government and the effectiveness of the Parliament.

“Over ten years have passed since the cut to MPs numbers in the Parliament, and there is growing consensus that the reduction has adversely impacted on the ability of the Parliament to fulfil its functions effectively, and properly represent the people who elect it,” Mr McKim said.

“The Joint House Select Committee on Ethical Conduct found that the size of the Tasmanian Parliament is worthy of consideration and made a specific recommendation that an independent inquiry be conducted into increasing MP numbers.”

“Premier Bartlett has been quiet about all of the Joint House Select Committee recommendations, and Tasmanians deserve to know whether he intends to act on this serious and significant recommendation.”

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Text of Motion Tabled by Nick McKim MP:

That this House notes that:

1. Ten years have elapsed since the passage of the Parliamentary Reform Act 1998, which reduced the number of Members of both Houses of this Parliament;

2. The impacts of the reduction of numbers of Members on the capacity of this Parliament to serve the people has never been reviewed;

3. The of the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct has recommended that an independent inquiry be conducted into:-

a. whether or not there should be an increase of the number of members elected to the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly;

b. if an increase is recommended, to report on the way such increase should be achieved; and

c. any matters incidental thereto.

And therefore that the House agrees that such an independent inquiry should be held.