More work for MPs after marathon late-night sitting

Opposition parties warned the State Government one parliamentary sitting per week would not be enough to get emergency legislation through. They were right.

THE Liberal government has doubled the number of parliamentary sitting days next week after a marathon session to pass emergency coronavirus laws.

The Legislative Council sat until 1.30am today and the House of Assembly returned for an unscheduled sitting at 8am.

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Premier Peter Gutwein said it was clear more sitting time was needed to get urgent legislation through.

“We will sit next Wednesday and Thursday … if we need to be flexible, as I have always indicated, we will bring the house back to sit additional days as required,” he said.

“It was disappointing that the rules of the house were used yesterday to frustrate the passage of the bill through the house.

“I want this to work and I’m hoping on that side of the house you want it to work as well.

“Reflecting on matters overnight, I think it’s important that we all do our best to make sure that legislation that is required for the COVID effort does pass.”

Premier Peter Gutwein in Parliament this morning. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Gutwein said the legislation to come before the house next week – aimed at helping commercial tenants – was critical for Tasmanian businesses and needed to pass without delay.

He told the opposition parties the Government would do its best to make sure they were better briefed.

Labor leader Rebecca White welcomed the decision.

“It does demonstrate the need for us to have more days. We need to be able to have these debates, to discuss and scrutinise complex legislation in a way that’s mature and respectful,” she said.

Labor leader Rebecca White in Parliament this morning. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

She asked to see a copy of next week’s legislation as a gesture of goodwill, given the Government was already circulating it elsewhere in the community

“It is unreasonable and impractical to expect both the Upper and Lower House to pass important legislation in a single day,” Ms White said.

“Labor makes no apologies for fully scrutinising Government legislation – particularly when one third of the Parliamentary sitting days have been cancelled.

“The Legislation we are considering has significant and far reaching consequences and Tasmanians expect their elected representatives to apply appropriate scrutiny.

“Labor proposed an additional sitting day next week to avoid a repeat of today’s chaotic scenes, which mean we have to hastily return [this] morning.

“With many businesses starting to reopen and the Government itself contemplating lifting lockdown restrictions, there is no reason why parliament cannot meet more regularly.”

“The Government has our support to do everything necessary to protect lives, but it is critical that we maintain Parliamentary scrutiny through this period.”

Measures have been put in place in parliament to ensure there is appropriate social distancing. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was unsurprising the legislation took time to pass as it handed sweeping powers to the Government.

She said her party was supportive of the government's efforts to fight coronavirus, but parliament could not be treated as a “rubber stamp” for government edicts.

Independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie said the extra sitting days were important.

“I have consistently maintained that Parliamentary accountability is a vital principle of our democracy and that we have the capacity to work out how to run parliament safely,” she said.

“This is a positive step forward and I am hopeful that we can embed this not just for the next weeks sitting, but going forward until we can return a more regular sitting schedule.”