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Mr
WILL HODGMAN (Franklin - Leader of the
Opposition - 2R) - Mr Deputy Speaker, I move -
That
the bill be read the second time.
Fixed
four-year terms are a feature of good governance
throughout Australia. There are provisions for fixed
four-year terms in Victoria, South Australia, New
South Wales, the Northern Territory and the ACT.
While legislation that provides for fixed four-year
terms varies in its provisions - the key difference
being fixing the date for elections into the future
or fixing the date for the first three years with
elections to be called any time in the fourth year -
most States have now opted for genuine fixed
four-year terms. This bill fixes and entrenches the
date of every Tasmanian election for the House of
Assembly as the third Saturday of March in every
fourth year. It delivers on a commitment I made
earlier this year in the address-in-reply to push
for reform in this area.
The
bill mirrors fixed-term legislation in other States.
The date of the third Saturday in March is chosen
specifically because it is closest to the date of
the most recent Tasmanian House of Assembly
election. It is also a date that does not conflict
with local government or Legislative Council
elections, or with the timely passage of the State
Budget.
Constitutional amendments are typically entrenched
by one of the following methods: special majority,
two-thirds majority support, or referendum.
Entrenchment ensures that future governments cannot
easily alter legislation for political expediency.
Special majority is a method of entrenchment that
has been previously used in Tasmania, and is
similarly used in this bill. Section 41A of the
Constitution Act states that -
'The
Assembly may not pass any bill to amend section 23
unless not less than two-thirds of its Members vote
for passing the Bill.'
Thus,
this bill entrenches section 23 so that any change
to its provisions will require a two-thirds
majority.
The
entrenched provisions include the election date -
the third Saturday in March every four years;
dissolution of the House and the issuing of writs by
Governor prior to the election date; the power of
the Governor to defer the election day to a Saturday
not more than 21 days after the day because the date
coincides with Easter or a Commonwealth election;
the date of the election, third Saturday in March in
the fourth calendar year after the calendar year in
which the last general election was held; and the
prior dissolution of the House if a motion of no
confidence in the Premier and other ministers is
passed, or in the circumstances of the rejection of
a money bill.
There
are many advantages to fixed parliamentary terms. It
is an easily understood concept that provides an
environment for good government because it removes
the capacity for incumbents to choose an election
date for political purposes. It guarantees tenure of
existing government for the implementation of
policies. It provides certainty for parliamentary
committees and allows for more effective planning of
the parliamentary timetable. It facilitates better
economic planning for the private and public
sectors. It is generally supported by the business
community and can reduce the number and cost of
elections.
The concept of fixed parliamentary terms has
previously enjoyed the support of all major parties
in the Tasmanian Parliament. The Labor Party, both
nationally and at State level has previously
supported fixed parliamentary terms, and former
Labor Prime Minister and Labor spiritual leader,
Gough Whitlam, has said it is Labor policy. We
therefore look forward to the Lennon Government's
support for the bill. Mr Deputy Speaker, I commend
the bill to the House.
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