The Tasmanian Greens today expressed disappointment that Labor and Liberal had reneged on their signed commitment to restore the House of Assembly numbers to 35 before the next state election.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the vote against the Greens’ Parliamentary Reform (Restore Assembly Numbers) Bill 2012, was a win for populism over a strengthened democracy and better decisions by Parliament and Cabinet.

“Tasmania needs political leaders who are prepared to do the right thing, even if it may not be popular. But what we saw today was every single Labor and Liberal MP take a populist approach even though they all know that restoring the House to 35 Members in time for the next election is crucial,” Mr McKim said.

“Arguments that we cannot afford this reform at this time are a load of rubbish. When times are tough it is even more important that Parliament and Cabinet make good decisions.”

“The cost of this reform is less than the amount of money thrown every year at the Hawthorn sponsorship deal, which is supported by both Labor and Liberal.”

“As the Greens warned at the time, it is evident that the cut in MP numbers has resulted in a broken Parliament. It has reduced the talent available and has gridlocked the Parliamentary Committee system.”

“In these challenging times it is even more crucial that we act to improve decision making, ensure a better functioning committee system, provide a deeper talent pool from which to select Ministers.”

“Public commentators and ex-MPs have stated clearly and loudly that a Parliament unable to fulfil its responsibilities to the community imposes a real and unacceptable cost in lack of efficiencies, and poorer outcomes for the Tasmanian people.”

“History has also proven that the motivation in 1998 to cut the numbers was to get rid of the Greens, with former Labor and Liberal MPs who voted for the cuts subsequently admitting was the case, and that it was a mistake.”

 Outgoing Legislative Council President Sue Smith: ‘I am the first to admit that the cutting of numbers in the parliament was a major error … [and] the people of Tasmania should accept and acknowledge that the cuts in the House of Assembly have cost them’.” Hansard, 18 April 2013.

 Former Labor Minister David Llewellyn: “… And I could admit now, I guess, as being part of the government back in 1998 or 1997 in conspiring […] between the Liberal Party and the Labor Party to reduce the size of Parliament on the basis that it would take more percentage from minor parties to actually win a seat. And I think that was wrong. I’ll admit it was wrong. And I think we really should do something about that…’.” Transcript, ABC Local Radio Statewide program, Friday Forum, 13 May 2011.

The Parliamentary Reform (Restore Assembly Numbers) Bill 2012 would have:

• Amended the Constitution Act 1934 to restore the House of Assembly numbers from 25 back to 35 (as they were before the 1998 cuts);

• Made subsequent amendments to the Constitution Act 1934 to retain the ratio between the Assembly MP numbers and Cabinet numbers, to amend the Constitution of the Assembly to reflect that each of the 5 electorates will return 7 members, and also to retain the specified Quorum ratio;

• Amended the Electoral Act 2004 to ensure that ballot paper requirements reflect that the State House of Assembly five electorates will each return seven members.
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader