• Examiner: Premier to look at plan to lift MP numbers
PREMIER Lara Giddings has not ruled out supporting a move to increase the size of Parliament.
Greens leader Nick McKim told Parliament he would bring on a bill to restore the number of seats in the House of Assembly from 25 to 35 before the budget session in May.
He said the reform was long overdue.
Ms Giddings said Labor’s support for the reform, estimated to cost an extra $3million a year, would depend on the state’s finances.
“We’ll see when the budget comes down,” Ms Giddings said.
She said it was a low priority compared with the need for more doctors, teachers and other resources.
“We must have a strong budget situation, I believe, before we can be in a position to expand the Parliament.”
Liberal Party deputy leader Jeremy Rockliff said it would not support an increase in MPs until the budget was “fixed”.
Mr McKim used his reply to Ms Giddings’s state address to outline his democratic reform package that also included state-based political donations disclosure and limiting the Legislative Council’s powers.
The Greens also want to establish a new position for an independent advocate for small business in a bid to reduce the dominance of big corporations.
• Lara’s pledge on PS numbers in her Premier’s Address, here
