2015-10-29
Last night the LNP and Katter Party MPs tried to gain the support of independent MP, Billy Gordon, to pass the Electoral (Redistribution Commission) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2015.
Amongst other things, the Bill allows for the large district number for designated rural and remote electorates to be increased from 2% to 4%.
Queensland Greens spokesperson Penny Allman-Payne said “The Queensland Greens oppose the use of the additional large district number as it is a gerrymander that undermines the basic principle of one vote one value. We do not in any way support an increase in the large district number, regardless of it being delivered by the Parliament or by the Redistribution Commission”.
“Increasing the value of one person’s vote at the expense of another is not the way to overcome the difficulties faced by constituents living in remote rural and regional areas,” Ms Allman-Payne said.
“If the Bill comes into law, a single vote in Mt Isa, for example, could be worth as much as two to three times that of a single vote in most other electorates.”
“Whilst the LNP asserts in their explanatory memorandum for the Bill that there is no alternative solution to the problems faced by constituents in large rural and remote electorates trying to access their local MP, this is simply not true.”
“The Greens favour a system of proportional representation that would allow voters in remote rural and remote electorates to connect with other voters across the state who share their views, to have their voice heard.”
“Alternatively, a system of job-sharing by two MPs who share one vote has also been suggested by the University of Queensland’s Professor Graeme Orr.”