We write to express our concern at the negative approach of a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council (reported in the Mercury 14th January 2012) to the restoration of the House of Assembly to 35 seats; and the statement by the Deputy Premier that such a restoration was not a priority.
That such a restoration should be a priority has long been publically demonstrated by,
1. The three party agreement for parliamentary reform of September 2nd 2010 where the parties agree” that the House of Assembly be restored to 35 members” and that legislation be enacted to establish this “at the next election”.
2. The report of the independent appointee to the Review of the Proposal to Restore the House of Assembly Emeritus Professor Peter Boyce AO “that there was strong community support for such an increase in the members”.
3. The government admission in response to the Tasmanian Constitution Society Inc petition tabled in The Tasmanian Parliament, N0 15 of 2011, that the reduction (in 1998) from 35 to 25 seats had,
a. “ Resulted in a reduced representation of the Tasmanian community and fewer members to draw upon for cabinet and parliamentary committee purposes”
b. Caused “ a shift in community attitudes in this matter. There is now a general feeling that the House of Assembly is too small and the number of members should be increased”
4. The overwhelming public evidence (instanced by the resignation of ministers in 2010/11 and the practice of holding multiple ministries) that a restored House of Assembly to 35 seats is essential to give critical mass for effective governance in both servicing the ministries, providing membership of parliamentary committees and servicing Tasmanian constituencies.
The priority both for Tasmania and we would hope for all enlightened MHAs is to ensure that the next parliament will have a House of Assembly of 35 seats and thus re-establish satisfactory governance for this state.
The legislation should therefore be prepared forthwith to secure such an result, and also ensure that Tasmania is not condemned to a further four years of unsatisfactory governance.
Peter Chapman President of the Tasmanian Constitution Society Inc
Jane Diprose Secretary.
