D’Ath feints Hart attack
GOLD Coast politician Michael Hart says it is a waste of time sitting in Parliament since the State Government introduced family-friendly sitting hours.
The Burleigh MP claims the change in schedules has had a big impact on debate and robbed his constituents of the representation they deserve.
“There is no point going to Parliament any more with these new hours and stifled debate,” Mr Hart said.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said Mr Hart was right, there was no point in him going to Parliament – but that was because he was not contributing on matters important to the Gold Coast.
On May 2 the Labor Government introduced its familyfriendly hours, putting an end to the late-night sittings that could finish at 2am or 3am.
Under the new hours, sittings finish at 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 6.30pm on Thursdays.
Lunch breaks have been reduced from 90 minutes to an hour to make up for lost time.
Ordinary MPs such as Mr Hart have had their debating time slashed from 20 minutes to 10 minutes on Government Bills reported on by a committee and to 15 minutes for urgent Bills.
Mr Hart said the new hours stifled debate. “The ALP have no interest in proper debate.”
Ms D’Ath agreed there was no point in Mr Hart going to Parliament. “I can understand if Mr Hart feels he is not contributing in any way to debate. He is not. A cursory look at Hansard shows that the dulcet tones of the Member for Burleigh have been heard in the Chamber on multiple occasions – although not usually on issues of interest to Gold Coast voters – to filibuster.”
She said debate had not been stifled, with more than 28 hours spent arguing the last two bills before the House.
During the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill the LNP spoke 33 times in the second reading debate and during the Cognate Local Government Bills spoke 30 times.
“The LNP have embarked on a campaign to filibuster debate in the House and undermine the workings of Parliament,” Ms D’Ath said.
“On one occasion the LNP wasted 20 minutes debating whether the division bells should ring for one minute or four minutes.”