DOCSLIB.ORG

Official Committee Hansard

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Official Committee Hansard COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Official Committee Hansard JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL MATTERS Reference: Integrity of the electoral roll THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2000 BRISBANE BY AUTHORITY OF THE PARLIAMENT INTERNET The Proof and Official Hansard transcripts of Senate committee hearings, some House of Representatives committee hearings and some joint com- mittee hearings are available on the Internet. Some House of Representa- tives committees and some joint committees make available only Official Hansard transcripts. The Internet address is: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard To search the parliamentary database, go to: http://search.aph.gov.au JOINT COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL MATTERS Thursday, 14 December 2000 Members: Mr Pyne (Chair), Senators Bartlett, Faulkner, Ferris, Mason and Murray and Mr Laurie Ferguson, Mr McClelland, Mr St Clair and Mr Somlyay Senators and members in attendance: Senators Bartlett, Faulkner, Ferris, Mason and Murray and Mr Laurie Ferguson, Mr McClelland, Mr Pyne, Mr St Clair and Mr Somlyay Terms of reference for the inquiry: To inquire into and report on: • the adequacy of the Commonwealth Electoral Act for the prevention and detection of fraudulent enrolment; • incidents of fraudulent enrolment; and • the need for legislative reform. WITNESSES EHRMANN, Ms Karen Lynn (Private capacity) .......................................................................................139 HUGHES, Professor Colin Anfield (Private capacity) ..............................................................................215 SCOTT, Mr Leslie James (Private capacity)..............................................................................................185 SCOTT, Mrs Margaret Anne (Private capacity) .......................................................................................185 Thursday, 14 December 2000 JOINT EM 137 Committee met at 8.50 a.m. CHAIR—Ladies and gentlemen, without any further ado, having been delayed by the air transport problems of getting from Townsville to Brisbane in one morning, I declare open this hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the integrity of the electoral roll. The integrity of the Commonwealth electoral roll is vital to the conduct of free and fair elections. It is therefore essential that the integrity of the roll is not compromised and that all Australians have confidence in the accuracy of the roll. The committee’s current inquiry is designed to do that. Today we are hearing from Ms Karen Ehrmann, Mr Les Scott and Mrs Anne Scott, Mr Lee Bermingham, Emeritus Professor Colin Hughes, the Australian Electoral Commissioner from 1984 to 1989, and Dr David Watson MLA, leader of the Liberal Party in the Queensland parliament. Five of the witnesses—Mr Ehrmann, Mr and Mrs Scott, Mr Bermingham and Dr Watson—will be able to provide the committee with different perspectives on the circumstances in which fraudulent enrolment was committed and came to be detected. Professor Hughes is a former Australian electoral commissioner and is a highly regarded expert on Australia’s electoral system. Today we hope to explore with him his views on the reasons for and extent of enrolment fraud as well as discussing allegations of enrolment fraud that occurred during his tenure as Australian Electoral Commissioner. The inquiry is not designed to probe the internal matters of Australian political parties. They are matters beyond the terms of reference except insofar as they impact on the integrity of the electoral roll. The hearings of this committee are public and open to all and a Hansard transcript of the proceedings is being made. The transcript will be available in hard copy from the committee’s secretariat or via the Parliament House Internet home page. Before the committee commences taking evidence, let me place on record that all witnesses are protected by parliamentary privilege with respect to submissions made to the committee and evidence given before it. Parliamentary privilege means special rights and immunities attached to parliament, its members and others necessary for discharge of the functions of the parliament without obstruction and fear of persecution. Any act by any person which may operate to the disadvantage of a witness on account of evidence given by him or her before the committee is treated as a breach of privilege. While the committee prefers to hear all evidence in public, the committee may accede to a request to take evidence in camera and record that evidence. Should the committee take evidence in this manner, I remind the committee and those present that it is within the power of the committee at a later date to publish or present all or part of that evidence to the Senate. The Senate also has the power to order production and/or publication of such evidence. I should add that any decision regarding the publication of in-camera evidence or confidential submissions would not be taken by the committee without prior reference to the person whose evidence the committee may consider publishing. The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters intends to honour the suppression orders for the non-publication of names, addresses and evidence that were applied by the Criminal Justice Commission investigation into allegations of electoral fraud, known as the Shepherdson inquiry. It should be noted that the committee, if it passes this resolution, which I assume it will, authorises the recording, broadcasting and rebroadcasting of its proceedings today in accordance with the rules contained in the order of the Senate of 23 August 1990 concerning the broadcasting of committee proceedings, except insofar as the proceedings are a name, address or evidence that has been ordered not for publication by the Shepherdson inquiry. ELECTORAL MATTERS EM 138 JOINT Thursday, 14 December 2000 The secretariat will distribute a list of non-publication orders made by the Shepherdson in- quiry which may be helpful to representatives of the media in reminding them of a name, ad- dress or evidence suppressed by the Shepherdson inquiry. The media is reminded that in some cases names are suppressed only in relation to certain evidence before the Shepherdson inquiry and are otherwise available for publication. I ask a member of the committee to move that the JSCEM authorises the recording, broadcasting and rebroadcasting of its proceedings today in accordance with the rules contained in the order of the Senate of 23 August 1990 concerning the broadcasting of committee proceedings, except insofar as the proceedings are a name, address or evidence that has been ordered not for publication by the Shepherdson inquiry. The motion has been moved by Mr Somlyay and seconded by Senator Ferris. ELECTORAL MATTERS Thursday, 14 December 2000 JOINT EM 139 [8.54 a.m.] EHRMANN, Ms Karen Lynn (Private capacity) CHAIR—I welcome Ms Ehrmann to today’s public hearing. I would like to emphasise at the outset that this inquiry is about the integrity of the electoral roll. This is not an inquiry into the internal party matters of any political party, except insofar as they impact on the electoral roll. In answering questions, you should keep that fact uppermost in your mind and not be distracted by issues that are not in the domain of the committee’s inquiry. The evidence that is given at the public hearing today is considered to be part of the proceedings of the parliament. Accordingly, I advise that any attempt to mislead the committee is a very serious matter and could amount to a contempt of the parliament. Ms Ehrmann, I understand that you have provided a statement on a disk, which is being printed now, hopefully, by the secretariat. Can I suggest that, in order to save time, we proceed with questions and, when your statement arrives, at an appropriate juncture you might like to give that—in fact, I have just been informed that we have it now. Senator FAULKNER—Mr Chairman, can I make the suggestion that the question relating to the motion moved by Mr Somlyay and seconded by Senator Ferris be actually put? It was moved and seconded but I think it needs to be put by you. CHAIR—Of course. Those in favour of the motion moved by Mr Somlyay? Those against? It is carried. The secretariat will now distribute the media alert that was printed and the list of names and addresses and certain evidence. With respect to any new members of the media who come in, if they do not make themselves known to the secretariat, it would be helpful if other members of the media tell their comrades as they arrive that they should get the media alert from the secretariat. Ms Ehrmann, I invite you to make your opening statement. Ms Ehrmann—I understand that you have a number of questions, and I am not really sure what line they will follow. I have prepared a statement that I did intend to submit to the inquiry, depending on the sorts of questions that were asked, because I think this could clarify a few things. CHAIR—Would you like to read the statement? Ms Ehrmann—I will read part of the statement, if that is all right with you. CHAIR—Yes, you can read whatever parts you like. It is your statement. Ms Ehrmann—As this is an inquiry into the integrity of the electoral roll being heard by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, and as I understand that the purpose of this inquiry is to investigate whether there need to be changes to the system to uphold the integrity of the electoral roll, I wish to do whatever I can to assist in what I hope is a genuine attempt to recommend real and practical improvements to our present system. I would, however, like the fact to be noted that I do not agree to be part of, or to be used in any way as part of, a political publicity stunt by any political party, or that any information that I give to this inquiry be used in a political attack or a political campaign by any political party.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Blair (ALP 8.0%)
    Blair (ALP 8.0%) Location South east Queensland. Blair includes the towns of Ipswich, Rosewood, Esk, Kilcoy and surrounding rural areas. Redistribution Gains Karana Downs from Ryan, reducing the margin from 8.9% to 8% History Blair was created in 1998. Its first member was Liberal Cameron Thompson, who was a backbencher for his entire parliamentary career. Thompson was defeated in 2007 by Shayne Neumann. History Shayne Neumann- ALP: Before entering parliament, Neumann was a lawyer. He was a parliamentary secretary in the Gillard Government and is currently Shadow Minister for Immigration. Robert Shearman- LNP: Michelle Duncan- Greens: Sharon Bell- One Nation: Bell is an estimating assistant in the construction industry. Majella Zimpel- UAP: Zimpel works in social services. Simone Karandrews- Independent: Karandrews is a health professional who worked at Ipswich Hospital. John Turner- Independent: Peter Fitzpatrick- Conservative National (Anning): John Quinn- Labour DLP: Electoral Geography Labor performs best in and around Ipswich while the LNP does better in the small rural booths. Labor’s vote ranged from 39.37% at Mount Kilcoy State School to 76.25% at Riverview state school near Ipswich. Prognosis Labor should hold on to Blair quite easily. Bonner (LNP 3.4%) Location Eastern suburbs of Brisbane. Bonner includes the suburbs of Mount Gravatt, Mansfield, Carindale, Wynnum, and Manly. Bonner also includes Moreton Island. Redistribution Unchanged History Bonner was created in 2004 and has always been a marginal seat. Its first member was Liberal Ross Vasta, who held it for one term before being defeated by Labor’s Kerry Rea. Rea only held Bonner for one term before being defeated by Vasta, running for the LNP.
    [Show full text]
  • Report No. 42, October 1997 a Re-Evaluation of the South East Transit Project LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY of QUEENSLAND
    Report No. 42, October 1997 A re-evaluation of the South East Transit Project LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF QUEENSLAND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE A RE-EVALUATION OF THE SOUTH EAST TRANSIT PROJECT Report No. 42 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr Len Stephan MLA (Chairman) Member for Gympie Mr Bill D’Arcy MLA (Deputy Chairman) Member for Woodridge Mr Graham Healy MLA Member for Toowoomba North Mr Pat Purcell MLA Member for Bulimba Mr Ted Radke MLA Member for Greenslopes Hon Geoff Smith MLA Member for Townsville SECRETARIAT Mr Les Dunn Research Director Ms Alison Wishart Research Officer Ms Maureen Barnes Executive Assistant CONTENTS Page PREFACE ............................................................................................................................ i INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1 THE COMMITTEE ...................................................................................................1 SCOPE OF INQUIRY................................................................................................2 THE RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT ...................................................3 RECOMMENDATIONS 1 & 7 — EVALUATION ...................................................4 RECOMMENDATION 2...........................................................................................5 RECOMMENDATION 3...........................................................................................6 RECOMMENDATION 4...........................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • The History of the Queensland Parliament, 1957–1989
    14 . The demise of the Coalition and the Nationals governing alone, 1981–1983 In 1980, backroom plans had been already entertained for a stand-alone National Party government supplemented by a few Liberal ‘ministerialists’— opportunists who would cross over and side with whatever the next ministry turned out to be in order to remain part of the next government. Historically, ‘ministerialists’ were typically senior parliamentarians who, forgoing party loyalties, decided to collaborate as individuals in the formulation of a new government. After the 1980 election, however, any such musing was put on hold as the two conservative parties lapsed back into coalition. This time, the Nationals clearly imposed their dominance, taking the prime portfolios and consigning the ‘leftovers’ to the Liberals. Labor began to refer to the junior partners as ‘Dr Edwards and his shattered Liberal team’—the losers who were ‘now completely the captive of the National Party’ (QPD 1981:vol. 283, p. 7). Despite his vitriolic attacks against the Premier and the National-led government, Llew Edwards retained his position as Deputy Premier and Treasurer—positions he would keep until he was deposed by Terry White on the eve of the Coalition collapse in August 1983, although there was an unsuccessful attempt by dissident Liberals to remove Edwards in November 1981. When the Premier learned about the dissident Liberal plan to topple Edwards, with Angus Innes taking the lead, he declared Innes an ‘anti-coalitionist’ and someone with whom he would not work. Instead, Bjelke-Petersen began hatching plans to form a minority government with whomsoever among the Liberals who would give him support; and then to govern alone until mid-1982.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Representatives By-Elections 1902-2002
    INFORMATION, ANALYSIS AND ADVICE FOR THE PARLIAMENT INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SERVICES Current Issues Brief No. 15 2002–03 House of Representatives By-elections 1901–2002 DEPARTMENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY ISSN 1440-2009 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2003 Except to the extent of the uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written consent of the Department of the Parliamentary Library, other than by Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official duties. This paper has been prepared for general distribution to Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament. While great care is taken to ensure that the paper is accurate and balanced, the paper is written using information publicly available at the time of production. The views expressed are those of the author and should not be attributed to the Information and Research Services (IRS). Advice on legislation or legal policy issues contained in this paper is provided for use in parliamentary debate and for related parliamentary purposes. This paper is not professional legal opinion. Readers are reminded that the paper is not an official parliamentary or Australian government document. IRS staff are available to discuss the paper's contents with Senators and Members and their staff but not with members of the public. Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library, 2003 I NFORMATION AND R ESEARCH S ERVICES Current Issues Brief No. 15 2002–03 House of Representatives By-elections 1901–2002 Gerard Newman, Statistics Group Scott Bennett, Politics and Public Administration Group 3 March 2003 Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Murray Goot, Martin Lumb, Geoff Winter, Jan Pearson, Janet Wilson and Diane Hynes in producing this paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Votes and Proceedings
    1990 THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS No. 1 FIRST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH PARLIAMENT TUESDAY, 8 MAY 1990 The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia begun and held in Parliament House, Canberra, on Tuesday, the eighth day of May, in the thirty-ninth year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, and in the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and ninety. 1 On which day, being the first day of the meeting of the Parliament for the despatch of business pursuant to a Proclamation (hereinafter set forth), Alan Robert Browning, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Lyndal McAlpin Barlin, Deputy Clerk, Ian Charles Harris, First Clerk Assistant and Lynette Simons, Serjeant-at-Arms, attending in the House according to their duty, the said Proclamation was read at the Table by the Clerk: PROCLAMATION BILL HAYDEN By His Excellency the Governor-General Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Whereas by section 5 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia it is provided, among other things, that the Governor-General may appoint such times for holding the sessions of Parliament as he thinks fit: Now therefore I, William George Hayden, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, by this Proclamation appoint Tuesday, 8 May 1990 as the day for the Parliament of the Commonwealth to assemble for the despatch of business. And all Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are hereby required to give their attendance accordingly at Parliament House, Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, at 10.30 in the morning on Tuesday, 8 May 1990.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Representatives By-Elections 1901-2005
    Parliament of Australia Department of Parliamentary Services Parliamentary Library RESEARCH BRIEF Information analysis and advice for the Parliament 16 August 2005, no. 1, 2005–06, ISSN 1832-2883 House of Representatives by-elections 1901–2005 The first part of this revised brief discusses the 141 by-elections for the House of Representatives since Federation, including the most recent for the New South Wales division of Werriwa. The brief’s appendices give a full set of by-election figures. Gerard Newman, Statistics Section Scott Bennett, Politics and Public Administration Section Contents Party abbreviations ................................................... 1 Executive summary ................................................... 2 Contests ......................................................... 2 Causes .......................................................... 2 Outcomes ........................................................ 2 The organisation of Commonwealth by-elections.............................. 3 The reasons why by-elections have been held .............................. 3 The timing of by-elections ............................................ 4 By-elections 1994–05 ............................................. 5 Vacancies for which no by-election was held 1901–2005 ................... 6 Number of nominations .............................................. 6 Candidates per by-election ......................................... 7 Voter turnout ..................................................... 7 Party performance ...................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Hansard 4 August 1994
    Legislative Assembly 8811 4 August 1994 THURSDAY, 4 AUGUST 1994 Review of the Camping Ground Regulation 1987 Pest Control Operations Regulation 1977 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Poisons (Fumigation) Regulation 1977 read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Review of the Skin Penetration Regulation 1987 REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS Therapeutic Goods and Other Drugs Report Regulation 1982. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I lay upon the table of the House the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT sixth report on the Register of Members' Interests. Overseas Visit Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on PETITIONS Economic and Trade Development) (10.02 a.m.), The Clerk announced the receipt of the by leave: I am pleased to report to Parliament on following petitions— the success Queensland has had in Indonesia as a result of participation in the Australia Today Indonesia 1994 Trade Expo and, most Adult Theme Shops importantly, the business mission to Central From Mrs Sheldon (520 signatories) Java, our sister State, which preceded it. praying that the Parliament of Queensland will Nearly 100 Queensland business legislate to ban the operation of adult theme representatives representing 54 firms and shops within a two-kilometre radius of any public organisations were in Jakarta, with many of them or private school frequented by minors. represented on the official Queensland stand. It is with pleasure that I can advise the House that Yelarbon-Texas Road contracts totalling more that $80m are expected From Mr Springborg (420 signatories) as a result of our participation, and on the advice praying that the unsealed sections of the coming to me from many of the business Yelarbon-Texas Road be upgraded to bitumen representatives concerned, that is a very as a matter of urgency.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Representatives By-Elections: 1901–2018
    RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2018–19 8 MAY 2019 House of Representatives by-elections: 1901–2018 Stephen Barber Statistics and Mapping Section Executive summary This paper provides details of House of Representatives by-elections, from that held for Darling Downs on 14 September 1901 to the most recent held on 20 October 2018 for Wentworth. The following observations can be made about those by-elections: • there have been 158 by-elections, an average of 3.5 per parliament. • the nine by-elections held during the current, 45th, Parliament is the second highest number in an individual parliament—seven of these related to dual citizenship; 10 by-elections—nine caused by the deaths of members—were held during the 20th Parliament (1951–1954) • the average number of nominations has grown over the years from 2.2 per by-election to 11.5 per by-election • in only four cases was a by-election contested by just a single candidate • an increasing tendency has been for governments to avoid contesting by-elections in their opponents’ safe seats • in only ten cases have the opposition party failed to contest a by-election • eighty-three of the by-elections followed the resignation of the member, 68 members died in office, there have been six voided elections, and one MP was expelled from the House • since 1949 resignations account for over two-thirds of by-elections and over half the resignations have occurred in safe seats • on 36 occasions the party complexion of a seat has altered at a by-election; five of the losses have been by the opposition of the day • the average two-party preferred swing against the government of the day has been 3.8 per cent and • since 1949 the largest two-party swing against a government (16.1 per cent) occurred against Labor in Canberra in 1995.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Assembly Hansard 1988
    Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1988 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Petitions 27 September 1988 739 TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1988 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. L. W. Powell, Isis) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. ASSENT TO BILL Assent to the Public Officers' Superannuation Benefits Recovery Bill reported by Mr Speaker. PAPERS PRINTED DURING RECESS Mr SPEAKER: I have to report that the following papers were ordered to be printed and circulated during the recess— Report of the Commissioner of Land Tax 1985-86 Report of the Commissioner of Land Tax 1986-87. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I wish to draw to your attention the presence of, and extend a welcome to, two senators from the State of Alaska in the United States, Senator Kamp and Senator Kelly. Honourable members: Hear, hear! PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Increase in Number of State School Teachers From Mr Littleproud (33 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to increase the number of teachers in State schools in line with agreed class sizes. Toll-roads on Sunshine Coast From Mr Burns (303 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wUl take action to ensure that all public roads on the Sunshine Coast are kept free of toll payment. Introduction of Poker Machines From Mr Simpson (18 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to introduce poker machines. Licensed Sporting Clubs From Mr Simpson (69 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wUl review the restrictions on trading hours, fund-raising and other activities in licensed sporting clubs.
    [Show full text]
  • An Adornian Rhetorical Analysis of the Emotional Appeal of Pauline Hanson's One Nation
    POPULIST DISCOURSE: AN ADORNIAN RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EMOTIONAL APPEAL OF PAULINE HANSON'S ONE NATION By Christina Laura Bobrowski BA Hons A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA November 2004 STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for a degree or diploma by the University or any other institution, except by way of background information and duly acknowledged in the thesis, and to the best of the candidate's knowledge and belief no material previously published or written by another person except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis. Christina Laura Bobrowski November 2004 STATEMENT OF AUTHORITY OF ACCESS This thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. Christina Laura Bobrowski November 2004 ABSTRACT This thesis offers a sociological explanation for the electoral appeal of Pauline Hanson's One Nation (PHON) by performing a discourse analysis of the parties manifesto. This manifesto is comprised of the public speeches, parliamentary speeches and media releases of PHON delivered during the period of Hanson's term in the Australian Federal Parliament 1996-1998. The analysis is a synthesis of methodological approaches originated by Theodor Adorn° and Erving Goffrnan. These approaches are rhetorical analysis and frame analysis. The combination of these approaches augmented by the simultaneous identification of key thematic domains allows the discourse analysis to be linked to issues canvassed by the Australian Election Study 1998 (AES 1998). It is proposed in the thesis that Hanson's political style is of the populist type that is demonstrated to be increasingly prevalent in Western politics.
    [Show full text]
  • Tilt Train Project LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY of QUEENSLAND
    Report No. 35, March 1997 Tilt Train Project LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF QUEENSLAND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE TILT TRAIN PROJECT Report No. 35 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr Len Stephan MLA (Chairman) Member for Gympie Mr Bill D’Arcy MLA Member for Woodridge Mr Graham Healy MLA Member for Toowoomba North Mr Pat Purcell MLA Member for Bulimba Mr Ted Radke MLA Member for Greenslopes Mr Geoff Smith MLA Member for Townsville SECRETARIAT Mr Les Dunn Research Director Ms Alison Wishart Research Officer Ms Maureen Barnes Executive Assistant CONTENTS Page PREFACE ............................................................................................................................ i RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................... ii INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1 THE COMMITTEE ...................................................................................................1 SCOPE OF INQUIRY................................................................................................2 SUBMISSIONS, INSPECTION AND HEARINGS ...................................................2 RESPONSIBILITY OF MINISTERS.........................................................................2 THE PROJECT ...................................................................................................................3 WHAT IS A TILT TRAIN? .......................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • The Ayes Have It: the History of the Queensland Parliament, 1957–1989
    10. Commanding the Parliament, 1972–1975 The fortieth Parliament began its first session on 1 August 1972. It would run until 1 November 1974, sitting for 193 days in the two and a half years it existed. Fifteen new members made their appearance in the House—almost one- fifth of the Assembly. They included, from the ALP: Tom Burns, Bill D’Arcy, Roy Harvey, Kevin Hooper, Gerry Jones, Ken Leese and Les Yewdale; from the Country Party: Des Frawley, Bill Gunn, Lindsay Hartwig, Donald Neal, Ted Row and Bruce Small; and from the Liberal Party: Dr Llewellyn Edwards and Dr Norman Scott-Young. The Country–Liberal Coalition had been in office for 15 years and was starting to become more than a little cocky in government. There were occasional telltale signs in the Parliament during question time or in debates in which ministers were summarily dismissive of opposition concerns. While the government’s electoral position was not threatened, there was evidence of seething tensions brewing within the Coalition itself. These tensions would gradually increase during the 1970s, leading to an eventual breakdown of the Coalition in early 1983. The third Bjelke-Petersen ministry was sworn in on 20 June. It consisted of 14 ministers, again split eight to the Country Party and six to the Liberals. The Transport Minister, Bill Knox, a businessman by profession, was promoted to the vacant Attorney-General’s portfolio. Vic Sullivan took over the vacant Primary Industries portfolio and two new members were elevated into the ministry: Keith Hooper (Lib., Greenslopes) and Henry McKechnie (CP, Carnarvon).
    [Show full text]