MPs to return for COVID-19 special sitting

STATE Parliament will be recalled in coming weeks to consider urgent business brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Peter Gutwein yesterday said the move would be subject to the agreement of Governor Kate Warner.

Parliamentary sittings had been suspended until August, and emergency legislation had given the government broad powers to direct the fight against the spread of the virus.

However, Mr Gutwein said sittings would need to resume to consider a nationwide code of conduct about commercial tenancies that was agreed at the national cabinet on Tuesday.

“As this code will provide a mechanism for landlords and commercial tenants to come to arrangements to manage financial stress and hardship as a result of COVID-19, it is necessary to recall parliament to enact the appropriate legislation,’’ he said.

“This will be in addition to the measures already taken in the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020, to protect commercial tenants in relation to preventing evictions and capping rent.”

Mr Gutwein said the recall of parliament would also allow legislative change to enable the Legislative Council divisions of Huon and Rosevears to be represented beyond May.

The elections for those divisions were set to take place next month, but have been deferred due to coronavirus.

Mr Gutwein said he would consult with Speaker of the House of Assembly Sue Hickey

and Legislative Council President Craig Farrell to ensure appropriate social distancing and hygiene arrangements were in place.

It comes after opposition MPs called for a special committee to be formed to meet electronically to provide oversight and guidance to the government during the pandemic.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was important accountability was ensured during a time of emergency.

Labor leader Rebecca White said more measures were needed to ensure transparency while parliament was suspended.

Independent member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie welcomed the move to recall parliament, and said she would push for an ongoing accountability process throughout the coronavirus emergency.