❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Minister's response to the Country Shire Councils Association's rejection of the Labor Government's proposed electoral changes, specifically 'one vote, one value'. The Minister defends the government's position.
AnsweredQoN 385Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given the minister’s knowledge of the unanimous decision by the delegates of the Country Shire Councils Association at their annual general meeting rejecting the Labor Government’s proposed one vote, one value electoral change - (1) Will the minister ignore the very democratic process that took place at the Country Shire Councils Association’s annual general meeting yesterday morning? (2) Will he now defend the Government’s position by attending every CSCA ward meeting and visiting all 112 councils whose representatives attended the AGM and voted? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(1) Will the minister ignore the very democratic process that took place at the Country Shire Councils Association’s annual general meeting yesterday morning? (2) Will he now defend the Government’s position by attending every CSCA ward meeting and visiting all 112 councils whose representatives attended the AGM and voted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(2) Will he now defend the Government’s position by attending every CSCA ward meeting and visiting all 112 councils whose representatives attended the AGM and voted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(1) Will the minister ignore the very democratic process that took place at the Country Shire Councils Association’s annual general meeting yesterday morning? (2) Will he now defend the Government’s position by attending every CSCA ward meeting and visiting all 112 councils whose representatives attended the AGM and voted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(2) Will he now defend the Government’s position by attending every CSCA ward meeting and visiting all 112 councils whose representatives attended the AGM and voted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(1) No. (2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
(2) If the resolution is drawn to my attention formally, as I guess it may well be, I will take the opportunity to bring it to the attention of my colleagues. In the response I then relay to the Local Government Association, the Country Shire Councils Association or any other ward that raises this issue, I will say the following - (a) this commitment to electoral reform is part of the Labor Party’s deeply held political view that we have held for a hundred years - Hon N.F. Moore: No, you have not. Read the history of the party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Would the member like me to read the history of the Labor Party on this issue? The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no provision for supplementary questions. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Unlike the way that members opposite have historically with the Crichton-Browne group considered it appropriate to buy their branches, buy their memberships and buy their control of the executive of their organisation, as was detailed in this House by one of their colleagues, the Labor Party instead holds the principle of democracy and one vote, one value strongly and vigorously. We will continue to defend that principle both in this Chamber and in any forum in which people would like to engage us in debate. As the member opposite will know, I took the opportunity in the opening speech that I made to the conference of putting it right on the line that the Labor Party’s view is that this party is not for turning on this issue. This is a fundamental principle that we have always held dear. We have nothing to hide on this issue. We have contested election after election declaring where we stand on this principle. We will continue that stand on this principle until democracy is enshrined in the electoral laws and hopefully eventually in the Constitution of this State.
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