Ex-Labor MP admits cuts to MP numbers politically motivated

The Tasmanian Greens today said that the admission by former Labor Minister, David Llewellyn, that the 1998 cut to MP numbers was politically motivated to get rid of the Greens and was the outcome of the Labor and Liberal parties ‘conspiring’, justifies the issue of restoring the number of MPs in the House of Assembly to be revisited, and urgently.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said it is now widely recognised across the community that the cut in numbers was wrong and has damaged Tasmania’s system of governance, and the calls for numbers to be restored are growing.

Mr McKim also reminded that the 2010 agreement between the three political Leaders was for the restored numbers to come into effect at the next State election, and therefore it should not be confused with the current budget situation.

“Mr Llewellyn’s bombshell revelation on radio that there was ‘conspiring’ between the Labor and Liberal parties over the cut in MP numbers in 1998, on the basis of making it difficult for minor parties to be elected, is clear confirmation that the sole purpose of this undemocratic move was to get rid of the Greens,” Mr McKim said.

“Mr Llewellyn went on to state that he now admits that cutting the numbers was wrong, saying it needs to be looked at and fixed.”

“This confession by one the architects that the cuts were politically motivated and did involve ‘conspiring’ between the Labor and Liberal parties to try to keep the Parliament to themselves, clearly justifies the issue of restoring the numbers being put back on the table and prioritised.”

“This admission confirms that the push to cut MP numbers had nothing to do with what was best for Tasmania’s democracy or the community.”

“Regrets and hindsight are all very well, but with them comes the responsibility to now do what is right, prioritise good governance, and put restoring the numbers in the House of Assembly back onto the priority list.”

Link to ABC Mornings Friday Forum link: http://blogs.abc.net.au/files/friday-forum-13-5.mp3