2015-11-10
The Greens say a Parliamentary Committee report recommending Queensland governments move from three to four year terms will mean reduced opportunity for the public to hold political parties to account.
Greens spokesperson Andrew Bartlett said both Labor and the LNP are supporting a referendum to give themselves an extra year in power, but they won’t support giving the public any extra accountability mechanisms like an Upper House or a fair electoral system.
“When the Upper House was abolished back in 1921, the Premier at the time explicitly stated that this should only be done in a context where elections were held every three years at the most.”
“LNP and Labor now both seem happy to break this guarantee by pushing for a referendum for four year terms, yet they won’t even take the chance to ask the public at the same time about whether they want a Senate style chamber, as we have federally and in every other state.”
“Fewer elections means less accountability. Queensland remains the only state without the protection of an Upper House to provide some guard against extreme actions by governments.
“While the Parliamentary Committee report has recommended some extra requirements for Committees to examine legislation, some extra inquiries doesn’t go anywhere near far enough to remedy the loss of accountability that comes from giving governments more time in power.”
For further comment, contact Andrew Bartlett on 0418 743 789.