Media release – Shane Broad MP, Leader of Opposition Business, 15 May 2024
Liberals, David O’Byrne and JLN team up against transparency and openness
David O’Byrne and the JLN’s support of the Liberals’ efforts to reduce Question Time are extraordinary votes against transparency and openness.
Today’s Question Time was the best this parliament has seen for years.
The government was made to answer questions, and for the most part they obliged.
But not long after, the Liberals reverted to type.
Realising that they would be made to answer questions for the remainder of this term, they asked themselves what they could do to change the rules.
A government being made to answer more questions, can only be a good thing for democracy – particularly when that government has developed a strong reputation for avoiding scrutiny.
Unfortunately for Tasmanians, Mr O’Byrne and the JLN think otherwise.
Editor’s note: Yesterday the House of Assembly amended the Standing Orders to allow 90 minutes for Question Time, in consideration of the expanded size of the HoA from 25 to 35 Members. Today that was changed back to 60 minutes after just one Question Time. The motion was put by the Liberals, and under the JLN-Liberal agreement the JLN Members had to either support the motion or seek a deferment and negotiate. They did not seek to defer.
