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Today I wrote to the Attorney-General asking the Govt to support 2 motions from the crossbench in Parliament tomorrow
Our motions would establish two Joint Select Committees to scrutinise the Govt's health & economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6715654/cross-party-oversight-is-crucial-for-australias-covid-19-response/
Our motions would establish two Joint Select Committees to scrutinise the Govt's health & economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6715654/cross-party-oversight-is-crucial-for-australias-covid-19-response/
In a crisis, it is right that the government has the power to move quickly - this is not a time for politicking or games.
All Australians need the government to succeed, and we as crossbenchers are determined to ensure that they do.
That's why we're doing this.
All Australians need the government to succeed, and we as crossbenchers are determined to ensure that they do.
That's why we're doing this.
The Labor Party has proposed a Senate Committee be established to perform this vital role of scrutinising the Government's response.
But we believe this proposal is insufficient to the task required of us in four key ways:
But we believe this proposal is insufficient to the task required of us in four key ways:
First, only joint committees can compel Ministers of both Houses to appear. The Senate can't compel Ministers for Health, Treasury or IR to appear before it.
Right now these Ministers must be able to act fast. But in the months ahead we must be able to scrutinise those actions.
Right now these Ministers must be able to act fast. But in the months ahead we must be able to scrutinise those actions.
Second, in a time like this, we should draw on the expertise of all MPs from both Houses, for their extensive experience in health and economic policy.
In a crisis, it makes no sense to not to draw on all the expertise we can to solve our biggest problems.
In a crisis, it makes no sense to not to draw on all the expertise we can to solve our biggest problems.
Thirdly, Australians deserve broad representation on these committees, this includes those living in regional, rural and remote Australia.
There is strength in the diversity of our communities.
And so should there be in our oversight committees.
There is strength in the diversity of our communities.
And so should there be in our oversight committees.
Fourth, creating joint committees of both Houses, with full support of the Government, Opposition and crossbench, would be a powerful act of unity, leadership and trust.
If we are to succeed we will need the trust of all Australians. We believe this the way to secure it.
If we are to succeed we will need the trust of all Australians. We believe this the way to secure it.
We have already written the motions so they can be debated without delaying any other business.
All Australians need the Government to succeed in its COVID-19 Response.
In this spirit of co-operation, and for the sake of the country, we offer them to the Parliament.
All Australians need the Government to succeed in its COVID-19 Response.
In this spirit of co-operation, and for the sake of the country, we offer them to the Parliament.
Thanks to my colleagues @AdamBandt @MakeMayoMatter @WilkieMP @zalisteggall @RealBobKatter @MehreenFaruqi @sarahinthesen8 @RichardDiNatale @Jordonsteele @Senator_Patrick @NickMcKim @larissawaters @SenatorSurfer @janet_rice
Look fwd to hearing from @cporterwa & @Tony_Burke
Look fwd to hearing from @cporterwa & @Tony_Burke
