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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-26 Daily Xml
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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (14:58): My question is to the Premier. Is the Premier still committed to holding a referendum at the next state election to ask voters whether they support abolition or reform of the Legislative Council?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:58): An excellent question; and the quality of mercy is not strained. However, I have to say that I am very disappointed with the functioning of the Legislative Council and I have been ever since I started working in this building in 1977. The point is that my view about the Legislative Council is that it is totally absurd that they get eight year terms and do not have an electorate office or an electorate to serve. I have said all along that my view is, if there was a choice given to the people between continuing the Legislative Council as it—I have said this many times publicly, so it can be breaking news if you want it to—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I am quite aware what the question was. Basically, if there was a choice between abolition and reform, like four year terms and also (my view) a reduction in members of parliament, or keeping things as they are, my guess is that the majority of South Australians would vote for reform.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: No, Business SA and other organisations have been very strong on this for a while. Other jurisdictions, such as Queensland, saw their members of the upper house vote for abolition some years ago, and the same thing occurred in New Zealand. What happens is that in New Zealand and Queensland governments get elected, re-elected or rejected, depending upon their performance. Here we have people who get elected for eight years who do not have electorate offices or defined electorates, and it seems to me that the parliament, as well as the government, should be decided at each election.

I am waiting for a report and advice from the Minister for Justice and the Attorney-General on these matters as to the nature and extent of the reform proposals, and that is something that I will advise the house on sine die.

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