MPs in dark on sittings
MEMBERS of parliament say they were not told of the government's “disruptive” decision to prorogue parliament until shortly before it happened – and hours after the media were told.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Monday announced parliament would be “delayed”, causing confusion in some quarters about whether the timetable had been changed or the parliament had been prorogued for the second time in four months.
The decision clears all bills from the House of Assembly notice paper, all motions and dissolves all committees of both houses.
The next day of parliament on August 16, will largely be consumed by a ceremonial opening and establishing sessional orders.
There will be no Question Time until the following day.
The Liberals were trying to avoid returning from the winter recess one MP short of a majority after the resignation of Jacquie Petrusma but before a replacement could be sworn in.
The word “prorogued” was not used in Mr Rockliff’s media announcement nor in any communication with MPs.
In a special edition of the Government Gazette published on Tuesday, Governor Barbara Baker proclaimed she had prorogued parliament at 6pm on Monday.
Members of parliament were told by email of a “new parliamentary sitting schedule” about 4.30pm on Monday, after the Premier’s press conference at 1.45pm.
Independent for Clark Kristie Johnston said the decision would cause considerable disruption and was unnecessary.
“There was no discussion with me. I want stable government, but I also want the business of parliament to continue,” she said.
“Surely we could have had a sensible conversation about how parliament could continue to function.”
Independent MLC for Nelson Meg Webb accused the government of having “no interest in parliamentary democracy”.
“It’s the full shebang, everything is dismantled,” Ms Webb said.
“The rural health committee, which was having hearings this week, people were coming down, it doesn’t exist now. People would have made arrangements, planned to travel.”
She said the government was treating parliament with a lack of respect.
Labor MP Dean Winter said the government had gone to great lengths to thwart Labor’s plan to pass legislation capping power prices.
“He’s obviously out of touch because if he understood what’s on the minds of Tasmania is he would know that the cost of living is the biggest issue facing Tasmania families,” he said.
Liberal Minister Nic Street said the government hadn’t wanted to prorogue parliament.
“The proroguing of parliament was necessary because Labor made it clear unfortunately, that they were going to use it as a stunt. We don’t accept that.
“When we bring the parliament back, we will re-establish all of the committees and all of the bills at exactly the same point that they were at before yesterday’s decision.”