Crossbench joins with CLP to push for more sittings days

Three crossbenchers have urged the government to consider adding back three cancelled sitting days to the parliamentary calendar.

THREE Independent MLAs have backed a motion to reinstate three lost days of parliamentary sittings.

The August sittings of the Legislative Assembly were cut short after Greater Darwin and Katherine went into lockdown over a Covid-19 case.

The government has so far resisted a push by the CLP to reinstate the days later this year, saying they’ll only be used if absolutely necessary.

Crossbench MLAs Robyn Lambley, Kezia Purick and Yingiya Guyula have now joined the push to add those three sitting days back to the calendar.

Ms Lambley said parliament, which sits for only 30 days a year, was a “integral part” of debate.

“An important piece of work which I had planned, which was scheduled for that week, included a debate on the economic development of Central Australia,” she said.

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley said the days should be reinstated. Picture: Che Chorley

“That is something which is highly relevant to my community which won’t be raised for another week.”

In a statement on her Facebook page, Ms Purick said the cancellation of the last week of sittings left her with many unanswered questions about the government’s decisions.

“Interestingly, the NSW, Victoria, ACT and Federal (parliaments) are all operating in lockdowns.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the decision not to reschedule the days was “regressive” and “anti-democratic”.

“Parliament isn’t just about Government business,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

Darwin Festival officially opens for its 2021 Festival this week, Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles under the artwork "Fly Me Up to Where You Are " at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“It’s about scrutinising government during Question Time, and it’s about General Business, where the Opposition and Independents set the agenda.”

Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles said the government was still open to adding extra days, but only on the government’s terms.

“We’ve got nine days and more than 100 scheduled sitting hours still to get through this year, and we’ll add more if we need them closer to the end of the year,” Ms Fyles said.

“Worrying about this now is just a stunt from an Opposition Leader scrapping for political relevance and some media airtime.

“We’re focused on the issues Territorians care about right now – which is jobs and lives, not whether pollies spend three, four or six days in parliament come November/December.”