9 Comments
User's avatar
Helen Raskin's avatar

I agree entirely with your intended submission and with the reasoning accompanying it. What a ridiculous, fucked up way to approach changing the parliamentary term! Seems like something out of Alice Through the Looking Glass. I say kill the bill, and fast.

Expand full comment
Neville Smith's avatar

The Bill includes complexities that are completely unnecessary. Referenda do not work as intended if the question isn't clear and understood equally by everyone.

As you say, there are good arguments for and against a 4-year term, and those arguments can be debated leading up to a referendum. The matter of representation on parliamentary committees should be agreed by Parliament separately.

Expand full comment
Gail Duncan's avatar

Great that you are planning to make a submission, tick the box for oral submission as well.

Expand full comment
StevieP's avatar

Interesting read. Don’t opposition members in effect get a proportionality on select committees now ? In terms of the checks and balance, I don’t see a govt conceding control of legislative process for “greater” SC representation. Clear 4 year term seems cleaner.

Expand full comment
Kai Jensen's avatar

Sounds "dodgy biscuit" to me - the "three, maybe four" with the complexity of opposition-stacked select committees and higher salaries for the committee chairs. Over here we've all become more conscious of the financial cost of referendums since the failed Voice referendum - so the wisdom is, don't have a referendum unless you're confident of success.

Expand full comment
Grant Duncan PhD's avatar

True! David Cameron should have thought that too.

Expand full comment
Natalia Mamea's avatar

I was just about to lodge my submission this evening opposing this bill (yes, I know, cutting it really close) only to find submissions closed yesterday 16 April (a day early, without notice), when all along the deadline was 11:59pm Thursday 17 April. Same with the Referendum Framework bill, meant to close tonight but closed 1pm yesterday. Glad you got your submission in.

Expand full comment
Grant Duncan PhD's avatar

They must have all taken off for the break! I suggest you lodge a complaint!

Expand full comment
JANFRIE WAKIM's avatar

yes. Kill the bill. Thank you for your cogent arguments opposing it.

Expand full comment