HOUSE FINALLY AGREES TO STANDING COMMITTEES

Tim Morris MP
Leader of Greens Business in the House
Wednesday, 15 June 2011

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the support of the Labor Party to establish two Standing Committees of the House of Assembly, the Community Development Committee, and the Environment, Resources and Development Committee.

Greens Leader for Greens Business in the House Mr Tim Morris MP said that hopeful the Committees system for the House of Assembly will now be able to operate more smoothly by having Standing Committees that can manage several references each at once rather than having to set up a Select Committee each and every time a matter needs investigation

“Whilst the Liberals did not support the Motion to set up the two Standing Committees, their reasoning is that they would rather have the Committees as Joint House Standing Committees rather than just in the House of Assembly,” Mr Morris said.

“I hope that over time these Committees will be substantially better than not having the Standing Committees at all, as has been the case since the last election. I respect their position.”

“It is also the Greens’ preference to have Joint House Standing Committees, but that requires the Legislative Council to agree to the establishment of these Committees which so far they have not done. Therefore our own Committees are the next best thing.”

“All five of the existing Select Committees could easily have been allocated and managed by one or other of the two new Standing Committees which would have allowed a much more orderly management of Members time as well as the efficient progression of each inquiry,” Mr Morris said.
Tim Morris MP Leader of Greens Business in the House