Hansard inappropriate for public eyes: Labor

Staggering evidence of the Labor Government’s bungling over changes to Parliamentary entitlements guidelines emerged in Senate Estimates this evening, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Stephen Parry said.

“The changes mean that it may now be considered electioneering to send Hansard – the official transcript of Parliamentary proceedings – to members of the public,’’ Senator Parry said.

“If the excerpt contains comments that are considered by a Government committee to be disparaging of Government policy, for example, then a Member of Parliament would not be able to send the Hansard to their constituents under entitlement.

“Labor’s changes effectively censor Hansard where it includes criticism of the Government or Government policy.

“A newspaper can publish on its front page a blow by blow account of a heated Parliamentary debate; but look out the Member or Senator who quotes the same words in a newsletter!’’

Senator Parry said he welcomed appropriate checks and balances, but not to this absurd level, which could be considered censorship.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Stephen Parry