The Hodgman Liberal government’s first parliamentary sitting session has seen accountability and transparency plummet to a historic low, with debate on two major and controversial Bills gagged and a censure motion blocked.
“In just four short parliamentary sitting weeks under this Hodgman Liberal regime we have seen an unprecedented assault on Tasmanians’ democratic rights, and an unprecedented degree of contempt for Parliament,” Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said.
“In the space of four sitting days debate on two substantial and controversial pieces of legislation, the Forestry Bill and the draconian anti-dissent Bill, was gagged preventing detailed and proper scrutiny of their provisions,” Mr Booth said.
“Tasmania’s parliament saw a new low last night when the Hodgman regime rammed through the most draconian, intimidatory and punitive laws attacking the right to protest, freedom speech and freedom of association this state has ever seen.”
“It is outrageous that this extraordinary and undemocratic Bill had only a farcical few minutes allocated to examination of its clauses before the gagged debate was shut down.”
“Just as this anti-dissent Bill seeks to intimidate and silence Tasmanian citizens who hold a different point of view than the Hodgman regime, last night saw the Liberals abuse the forms of parliament to silence dissenting Members of Parliament.”
“This is a chilling abuse of power which should alarm all Tasmanians.”
“If the Liberals think they have the right to send Tasmanians to gaol for protesting against super-trawlers, destruction of Aboriginal heritage, destruction of the environment, or just about any other matter, then they have an obligation to front every question conceivable put to them by Tasmanians’ elected representatives.”
“Instead they shut down Parliament, ran and hid.”
“Two gagged Bills in four sitting days under the Hodgman regime, whereas only one Bill was gagged in the entire four year term of the previous balance of power parliament.”
“These last four sitting weeks are an indictment upon Premier Will Hodgman and his government,” Mr Booth said.
Since State Parliament resumed in May under Hodgman Liberal government:
