“You’re closing down debate:” CLP slams removal of scrutiny committee
THE first sitting of the new Northern Territory parliament has opened with heated debate about a proposal by Labor
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THE first sitting of the new Northern Territory parliament has opened with heated debate about Labor’s proposal to remove the government’s legislative scrutiny committee.
CLP Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro criticised the government for scrapping the committee under new sessional orders proposed in parliament today.
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“This is absolutely the dismantlement of transparency,” she said.
“It appears you have fogged up in the election.
“You’re closing down debate and closing down democracy.”
Territory Alliance’s Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley was also starkly opposed to the changes.
“I am very, very disappointed because I thought the legislative scrutiny committee worked very well,” she said.
Leader for Government Business Natasha Fyles hit back at the criticisms.
“She has just stood here and told us that she doesn’t have the confidence in the members of her team to provide scrutiny to these bills,”
“We need to make sure we don’t have a bureaucratic barricade especially during the times we’re in.”
It comes after the 25 Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly were sworn in today.
The CLP now has a notably larger presence in parliament, growing from two MLAs to nine.
Labor also have a few new faces with Member for Blain Mark Turner and Member for Fong Lim Mark Monaghan
The new MLAs are expected to be making their maiden speeches in the chamber this afternoon.
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Labor Member for Karama Ngaree Ah Kit was elected to the speaker’s chair and Member for Blain Mark Turner was elected deputy speaker.
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