Libs’ pairing action threat to conventions guaranteeing our democracy - 3rd April 2018 Heraldsun
Theo Theophanous: Libs’ pairing action threat to conventions guaranteeing our democracy Theo Theophanous, Herald Sun 3 April 2018 IN my recent column in the Herald Sun I noted the importance of conventions in the parliamentary system. Some go back hundreds of years. They exist to preserve our democratic institutions, based on honour and respect between adversaries. I was concerned with the convention related to protections afforded to members in one house of parliament against attacks from members in the other house. OMBUDSMAN SHOULD HAVE POWER TO SAY ‘NO’ LIBERALS USE ‘CON TRICK’ TO VOTE DOWN REFORM OPPOSITION STUNS PARLIAMENT ON FIRE REFORM This convention is important in ensuring fearless debate and criticism across the two houses. It stops parties or coalitions with a majority in the upper house from pursuing members in the lower house to potentially bring down a government. The Legislative Council sat into Good Friday to debate the fire ser...
