Nick Xenophon says he would cut number of ministers and increase parliamentary scrutiny

FRESH from pledging to cut the number of MPs in SA, Nick Xenophon now wants fewer ministers in Cabinet and more parliamentary scrutiny to fix South Australia’s “broken” government.

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FEWER ministers, longer parliamentary sitting periods and more Estimates scrutiny are needed to fix South Australia’s “broken” government, Nick Xenophon says.

The SA Best leader has pledged to chop the number of ministers from 14 to eight, saying the current arrangement “erodes ministerial responsibility and leads to administrative confusion”.

If he wins, he will introduce legislation to formally cap the number of ministers at nine and abolish pay increases for parliamentary secretaries.

Senator Xenophon told The Advertiser taxpayers would be “tens of millions of dollars” better off with a more efficient cabinet, and a cut to spin doctors and ministerial staff.

“(Former premier) Tom Playford managed to drive reforms with six ministers ... the ministry has become bloated,” he said. “If we want to get our state moving again we need to start at the top.”

Senator Xenophon says the plan would stop government departments reporting to multiple ministers and put SA on even pegging with Tasmania at eight ministers — three fewer than Opposition Leader Steven Marshall has pledged.

Nick Xenophon chats with shoppers at a fruit and veg shop at Newton. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

His latest policy comes as Opposition Leader Steven Marshall hit out at Senator Xenophon’s plan to slash the number of MPs from 69 to 51 as likely to reduce regional representation.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! After 16 years of Labor ignoring our regions, Nick Xenophon wants to slash the number of MPs who are from regional SA,” Mr Marshall said. “They don’t understand South Australia exists beyond Gepps Cross and the Tollgate.”

Premier Jay Weatherill kept his cards close to his chest, saying he preferred to focus on the impending Holden closure than scrutinise Senator Xenophon’s policy.

Senator Xenophon has also promised to beef-up “woefully inadequate” Estimates hearings and increase sitting days, which would result in MPs spending 90 days in Parliament each year.

Parliamentarians would sit for at least 18 four-day blocks each year, while Estimates would be extended to 18 days — closer in line with the federal Parliament.

Upper House MPs would also take part in Estimates hearings, which Senator Xenophon said would be reformed to more closely examine government administration and expenditure.

There are 50 compulsory sitting days this year, with a further optional three-day block, and just five days of Estimates hearings.

Senator Xenophon said the change was needed because the Parliament “doesn’t work very hard”.

“It’s about time Parliament was turned into a workhorse for South Australians, not just a rocking horse,” he said.