Four-Year Term - Queensland Parliament

[#Metro]

I wish to draw the attention of RBOT members to the following inquiry.

Inquiry into the introduction of four-year terms in Queensland Parliament
On 15 September 2015 the Parliament resolved that the committee inquire into the introduction of four year terms for the Queensland Parliament. 

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/FAC/inquiries/current-inquiries/I4-Intro4yearterms

[ozbob]

On balance, I support 4 year terms. 

[achiruel]

I would accept four year terms under either of these conditions:

1. Reinstatement of the Legislatives Council or
2. Change election method to mixed-member proportional, such is used in New Zealand and Germany.

This would prevent ridiculous situations such as ocurred in the election of the previous LNP government from occurring (88% of the seats with < 50% of primary vote).

[#Metro]

Best you write in with your views

Also agree. There is no upper house (not too concerned there - QLD is small), but in the absence of that there probably should be proportional representation to make up for that.

[verbatim9]

Have your say on fixed terms here http://m.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/parliamentary-terms-have-a-say-online-20151014-gk9btn.html

[pandmaster]

Four-year terms and NZ-style MMP are my dream for Queensland. It is one of the best placed to institute MMP as it has already abolished its upper house. Imagine how difficult it would be to be a "suicide squad" to vote their jobs into oblivion.

[#Metro]

Click the link and let Parliament know your thoughts. This goes for all.   

[aldonius]

Referendum on 4 year terms to happen next year.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-go-to-polls-next-year-to-decide-when-to-go-to-polls-again-20151204-glfmn7.html

Nothing from either major on MMP or reinstating the upper house - as expected.

[SurfRail]

I still think it is worth doing even without the other measures.  You need a good 2 years in the middle to achieve anything, good or bad.

[ozbob]

Media Release
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

Palaszczuk Government supports move to fixed four-year terms

The people of Queensland will have their say on fixed four year terms.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath said Queenslanders would consider whether fixed four-year terms should be introduced at a referendum.

The laws were passed by the Queensland Parliament on its final sitting day of the year.

Mrs D'Ath said a fixed term would give voters the certainty of knowing when to expect an election and allow governments to plan their work around established election dates.

"We have taken a bipartisan approach to this issue – seeking to work constructively to ensure the best outcome for the future of Queensland's system of government," she said.

"It's only right that the people of Queensland have their say.

"Fixed four year terms will allow governments to take a long-term view in developing and implementing policies and projects that enhance the quality of government decision-making.

"Longer terms also give greater certainty to the private sector in forward planning, resulting in greater business confidence and flow on benefits to the state in investment and employment opportunities."

Mrs D'Ath said fixed four year terms would need to be supported by a majority of voters at a referendum before it would be introduced in Queensland.

"Maximum three year terms have been in place for the Legislative Assembly of Queensland since the 1890s," Mrs D'Ath said.

"This is a significant constitutional reform for this state, and a notable change to Queensland's parliamentary landscape. It will bring us into line with all other Australian state governments and city councils in Queensland."

[SurfRail]

If this gets up, what they should do is look at changing the Local Government Act / City of Brisbane Act so parliamentary and council elections coincide.  Could potentially make it much cheaper.

[aldonius]

Not a fan of coinciding them (though I do appreciate the convenience of one fewer election day).

At best, state issues will just completely overshadow local issues. Worse, parties will start actually running candidates in all local government elections.

[verbatim9]

The Referendum will be held alongside the Council elections on 19Mar2016.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Say no to four-year terms until democracy improves: QCCL

[verbatim9]

I know democracy can be improved but 4 year terms is a step forward. Those things mentioned in the article can be worked on once 4 years take effect. Like an independent parliamentry commitee unbiased to either side.

[STB]

I cannot support 4 year terms, not at this stage at least.  Once an Upper House is put back in to provide better checks and balances (in theory), then I'd say no to 4 year terms, despite some benefits.  Last thing we need is a rampant Government going nuts without some sort of buffer to make sure that the Government of the day is doing the right thing.

[verbatim9]

No upper house! More expensive parliamentarians. No thanks! Proportional representation would be better from election results. The same system they have in NZ. So if a minor party such as the Greens receive 15% of the vote they then have 15% representation in the Qld parliament.

[aldonius]

The system they have in NZ requires additional parliamentarians too.

For full proportionality in Queensland by that method we'd need about 20 to 30 more MPs depending on how wacky the result was.

The usual Upper House proposals (that I've seen, at least) have about 30-40 MPs. The NSW upper house is 42 MLCs.


Edit 2: by my calculations for full proportionality, as of the 2015 election we'd need 112 MPs (48 LNP, 44 ALP, 9 Grn, 6 PUP, 2 KAP, 1 FFP, 1 ONP, 1 Ind). 2012 being such a crazy landslide would be more like 153 MPs (78 LNP, 42 ALP, 11 Grn, 18 KAP, 2 FFP, 2 Ind).

[#Metro]

I prefer a single house. Proportionality, like NZ, is good approach to check power. Right now, The Greens are disenfranchised as they are too dispersed but any decisions made bind the whole state, and so affect them.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Shane Doherty ‏@ShaneDoherty9

March 19 we vote on 4 year terms - fixed elections - no more surprises #9News #qldpol

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland referendum on fixed, four-year terms: writs signed

[ozbob]

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

Referendum for fixed four-year terms

The Palaszczuk Government has requested the Governor's approval to issue the writ for the referendum for fixed four-year terms for Queensland's Legislative Assembly.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the referendum would be held in conjunction with the local government elections on March 19.

"The Electoral Commission of Queensland will start its awareness campaign tomorrow (February 6)," the Premier said.

The Governor will formally issue the writ for the referendum on Monday (February .

The referendum is being conducted after the Government and Opposition both supported the move to fixed four-year terms through the passage of the Constitution (Fixed Term Parliament) Amendment Bill 2015 last year.

"Queensland is the only State without four-year terms," the Premier said.

The Government has allocated $11.5 million to ECQ to conduct the referendum and, after working with the Local Government Association of Queensland, it will provide $3.7 million subsidy for local government for costs of holding the referendum in conjunction with the council elections. The saving for Queensland taxpayers, compared to a separate referendum, is $5.1 million.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath said the Government and Opposition would finalise a "yes" case committee.

"We have taken a bipartisan approach to this issue – seeking to work constructively to ensure the best outcome for the future of Queensland's system of government," Mrs D'Ath said.

"It's only right that the people of Queensland have their say."

[ozbob]

Media Release
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

Bipartisan 'yes' campaign committee holds inaugural meeting

The first bipartisan meeting of the 'yes' campaign committee was held today ahead of the referendum for fixed four-year parliamentary terms in Queensland.

The committee is comprised of members of the Government and Opposition, business community, industry council members, union delegates, Queensland mayors and seniors.

"Today's meeting demonstrates the broad support fixed four-year terms has across all sides of politics and across various interest groups," Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath said.

"Voting 'yes' to fixed four-year terms at the referendum on March 19 will bring Queensland into line with local government here in Queensland and with every other state government in Australia, except Tasmania. Tasmania currently has four-year terms but not fixed.

"Importantly, fixed four-year terms provides certainty for the business community and removes the politics around selecting an election day. Voting will be held every four years on the last Saturday in October should Queenslanders support the referendum."

Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said fixed four-year terms will bring certainty to government.

"Fixed four-year terms will allow long-term planning to deliver more stable government to the people of Queensland, as well as certainty for business and the public sector," he said.

"If successful four-year terms will be introduced after the next election in 2018."

The 'yes' campaign committee for fixed four-year terms is comprised of the following:

    Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath;
    Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games Stirling Hinchliffe;
    Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker;
    Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens;
    Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland general manager, Advocacy, Nick Behrens;
    Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind;
    Queensland Council of Unions secretary Roslyn McLennan;
    Together Union secretary Alex Scott;
    Springfield Land managing director Raynuha Sinnathamby;
    Seniors advocate Everald Compton;
    Logan City Council Mayor Pam Parker;
    Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Mal Forman;
    Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady.

The referendum is being conducted after the Government and Opposition both supported the move to fixed four-year terms through the passage of the Constitution (Fixed Term Parliament) Amendment Bill 2015 last year.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Four-year parliamentary terms tipped to be rejected

[verbatim9]

I am predicting a narrow win of 52-53% 😜

[verbatim9]

Why vote Yes! for 4 Year terms ---> http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fouryear-terms-in-queensland-why-you-should-vote-yes-20160314-gnit8c.html

[ozbob]

Referendum Results will be available here:

>> http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/REF2016/results/summary.html

[ozbob]

I think it will not get up. Too much ' post - Newman ' aversion and the lack of an upper house also is a factor for many.

[mufreight]

One would hope, they can do enough damage with a 3 year term much less 4

[ozbob]

Early results:

http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/REF2016/results/summary.html#9

YES    13,055    48.25 %   
NO    14,001    51.75 %   
Informal    750    2.70     %

[ozbob]

WOW  shifted ..

Latest

YES    48,202    51.03 %   
NO    46,257    48.97    
Informal    2,789    2.87    

[STB]

I suspect the final result will be fairly split and close.  Still a fair way to go before the final count.

[aldonius]

Once you hit 10% it's usually pretty indicative. The question at this stage is are there regional biases in who's reported thus far.

Either way, it's going to be pretty borderline. Such a strong mandate!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Stephen Mayne ‏@MayneReport 3h

4 year term referendum in Queensland finished the night with 730,760 in favour, 640,147 against and 48,034 informal http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/REF2016/results/summary.html ...

===============

YES    730,760    53.30 %   
NO    640,147    46.70 %   
Informal    48,034    3.39     %

No doubt it will get up.  We supported 4 year terms as a group.  So that's a win.   It will lead to better longer term planning and infrastructure outcomes.

[#Metro]

Informal    48,034    3.39     %

How hard is it to put a tick in one box! 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Yes vote leads in four-year fixed terms referendum

[achiruel]

Informal    48,034    3.39     %

How hard is it to put a tick in one box! 

Maybe just people who didn't care so they dropped in a blank ballot?

[ozbob]

Twitter

Max The Lobbyist ‏@maxthelobbyist now Brisbane, Queensland

Hey @couriermail I am just going to leave this here #qldpol

[#Metro]

This is very good news for Cross River Rail.
Also bad news for very lazy politicians. No excuses now! You sit in the chair for four years and do nothing, it will be OBVIOUS!!

[verbatim9]

Hopefully we will get better policy outcomes. Daylight Saving referendum next?