Article: Trigger-happy petition backers warned of contempt

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Trigger-happy petition backers warned of contempt

Trigger-happy petition backers warned of contempt
June 20, 2012 - 3:00AM

A Queensland parliamentary official has chastised a person who signed an electronic petition 17 times under the same name and then "bragged" about it on the internet.

Speaker Fiona Simpson said she had learnt two people had entered their name on a single e-petition multiple times and warned such behaviour could be treated as contempt of Parliament.

It is understood the petition in question is one calling for the preservation of existing legislation allowing same-sex couples to register their relationships, a proposal that as of last night had accumulated 5155 signatures.

Ms Simpson, who has previously voiced her personal opposition to civil unions, said signing a petition multiple times was a breach the conditions of use and could be an intention to mislead the Parliament.

"One name was entered four times and the other name 17 times on the same e-petition. The persons bearing these names then bragged about their actions on a social media site," she said.

Ms Simpson said the Clerk of the Parliament, Neil Laurie, had deleted the multiple entries from the database and the e-petition would be checked before presentation.

"The Clerk has also contacted the persons responsible and warned them that their actions may constitute a contempt," she said.

"I am satisfied at this time with the action taken. However, should these persons attempt to undertake such an action again, I will refer the matter to the Ethics Committee as a breach of privilege and contempt."

Contempt of Parliament can potentially attract a fine and, if not paid, imprisonment.

The matter comes in the wake of rumblings within the Liberal National Party parliamentary backbench over the Newman government's compromise on civil union laws.

The decision by Premier Campbell Newman's cabinet will see couples retain rights to register their relationships, but not to participate in a state-sanctioned ceremony.

Katter's Australian Party, which is planning to move to fully repeal the civil unions law, argues a number of LNP MPs strongly support abolishing the legislation entirely.

Legislative changes are yet to be brought to Parliament.

As of last night, a separate e-petition opposing civil unions had so far attracted 10,605 signatures.

Rights advocates and Christian lobbyists have been distributing links to the rival petitions and calling on supporters to voice their opinion.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/triggerhappy-petition-backers-warned-of-contempt-20120619-20m07.html