Paul Harriss
“Premier David Bartlett needs to stop flip-flopping and playing politics on the issue of the size of Parliament and let an independent Board of Inquiry make an expert assessment following significant public consultation.
MEDIA RELEASE
PAUL HARRISS MLC
INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR HUON
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15 2008
MORLING STYLE BOARD OF INQUIRY NEEDED ON SIZE OF PARLIAMENT
Independent Huon MLC Paul Harriss said today that an independent Board of Inquiry was needed to determine the way ahead on the size of Parliament in Tasmania.
“It is around 14 years since the Morling Board of Inquiry produced a Report into the size of Parliament and it is time a similar inquiry was conducted,” Mr Harriss said.
“The Independent Board of Inquiry could undertake extensive consultation and take submissions from the public before making recommendations.
“If it recommended no change then so be it. However, if an increase in the size of Parliament was recommended this could be implemented at the next State Election in 2010.
“Premier David Bartlett needs to stop flip-flopping and playing politics on the issue of the size of Parliament and let an independent Board of Inquiry make an expert assessment following significant public consultation.
“Mr Bartlett only recently said he supported an increase in the size of Parliament and was canvassing a model with five Members from seven new Electorates but it should not be the secret backrooms of the Labor Party plotting changes in their own interests. The process needs to be independent and public.
“Whatever the outcome of the Premier’s new Cabinet he knows he is struggling to have sufficient talent on his front bench and good governance alone demands that an expert independent inquiry re-examines the issue of the size of Parliament.”
Paul Harriss MLC
Member for Huon
Parliament of Tasmania
