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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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Legislative
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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I will speak briefly at this stage. I have had discussions outside this Chamber with the Hon. George Weatherill and a number of other people, and I share the concerns that have been expressed about the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee. In fact, not just that committee but a number of structures within this Parliament need to be overhauled, because the Parliament has changed in a whole range of ways.
The complexity of the Parliament has changed in terms of the composition of the Houses with the range of Parties and Independents. Those groups are not represented on the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee or a range of other committees around the Parliament at this time. Another example is the Standing Orders Committee. We have just had tabled in this place documents which have not been the subject of any discussion between the Parties; they have been discussed only within the Standing Orders Committee itself, and that appears to be largely the way the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee also works. People have not been elected to it. I can think of only one member of that committee who has ever consulted me. We must recognise that the complexion of the Parliament has changed somewhat. While the processes that we have had in place probably worked very efficiently some years ago, I do not think they are up to the job that is before us today. I do not want to reflect upon individuals or go into more detail about those concerns, but I want to indicate to the mover of this Bill that I share his concerns, although my judgment was that this Bill did not necessarily solve the problems that he was seeking to address. That is one of the reasons why I have taken so long to speak: it was my intention to draft some amendments but, as happens so easily in this place, one gets buried in the sheer quantity of business before us. I know that I get frustrated that my private member's business sometimes lingers a long time, and unfortunately that has also happened in relation to this Bill. I cannot support the Bill as it is, but I am prepared to support the second reading to indicate support for the general principles that the Hon. George Weatherill is seeking to address. I indicate that I will make a more earnest effort before the next session to see if we can find a way to move forward. In recent times I have had conversations with other members in this place from other Parties who have given a similar indication. I hope we can come back in a couple of months with a Bill which will offer some real reform and have support across the broad representation that now comprises this Chamber.