The Empty Chair at Parliament House

The Clerk of the Queensland Parliament, Neil Laurie, has been advocating for democratic reform, specifically the establishment of an upper house. This idea has been proposed by Dr Nicholas Aroney in recent years, but Laurie’s comments are significant due to his position and experience working within the system.

Since 2003, Laurie has overseen parliamentary procedures, and he knows firsthand the challenges of making laws without adequate checks and balances. The Legislative Council’s abolition in 1922 has left Queensland vulnerable to “winner takes all” politics, where the interests of the majority are prioritized over those of the minority. This is a recipe for bad governance.

Laurie suggests bolstering the government-controlled committee system instead of reinstating an upper house, which would require a referendum and bipartisan support. However, this system has not evolved significantly in 15 years and has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability.

The real issue is not the cost of reform but rather the will to implement it. The LNP’s stance on increasing police numbers over politician numbers is a false economy argument that ignores the consequences of neglecting democratic health. As Laurie points out, an extra $35 million per year is being spent supporting strained MPs and their offices, compared to the estimated cost of $1 million per year for a new MP.

The government-controlled committee system has been in place since 2008, with a review conducted a decade ago. The results were largely inconclusive, allowing changes to “slowly evolve and develop.” However, the system’s evolution has not been positive for all stakeholders.

Reforming the committee system could be an alternative to establishing an upper house, but is this a genuine attempt at democratic improvement or just another form of tinkering around the edges? The answer lies in the government’s actions rather than its rhetoric. Laurie suggests that reforming the committee system would address issues such as accountability and representation.

The LNP’s reluctance to discuss increasing politician numbers is based on public opinion, which often favors reducing the number of politicians rather than adding more. However, this is not a reason for inaction when it comes to democratic health. Laurie’s comments highlight that the issue is not just about numbers but also about accountability and representation.

The empty chair at Parliament House serves as a reminder of the need for reform. Queenslanders deserve better governance, and the current system does not provide adequate checks and balances. The government must show more than just words; it needs to demonstrate a genuine commitment to democratic improvement.

Meanwhile, another issue has come to light with the appointment of David Mackie as the new director-general of State Development. His predecessor, John Sosso, held shares in Paladin Energy, which claims to have the largest uranium reserves in Queensland – although mining remains banned in the state. This raises questions about transparency and accountability within the public sector.

The fact that Sosso held on to his shares while refusing to answer questions about when he purchased them is concerning. Mackie’s decision to offload potentially tricky shares ahead of his appointment is seen as a positive move, but it highlights the need for greater disclosure.

As teachers in Queensland wait for their first pay rise in over a year, the government must demonstrate its commitment to fair wages and better working conditions. The upcoming industrial court case will be an important test of this commitment.