DOUBLE SNOUT TROUGH LEGISLATION TO BE PROGRESSED BY END OF YEAR
State MPs Will No Longer be Able to Hold Two Public Positions

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the commitment from Labor to move to address the ongoing issue of State Members of Parliament being able to hold a seat in Local Government simultaneously.

Greens Member for Braddon, Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP, received an undertaking from the Minister for Local Government, Bryan Green, that legislation to make it a requirement to only hold one elected position at a time will be progressed through the Parliament this year.

Mr O’Halloran also said that Greens MP Kim Booth already has tabled legislation in the House of Assembly to prohibit dual government positions being held at the one time.

“The Greens welcome the commitment from Labor today to address the ongoing issue of Members holding elected positions in both Local and State Government at the same time,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“The undertaking from Minister Green to progress legislation to end this double snout trough process of receiving two public wages for supposedly fulfilling two full-time positions is something that is very welcome to the Greens.”

“Greens MP Kim Booth has recently introduced into the House of Assembly, a Bill to prevent just this. Minister Green has not identified the scope of the legislation at this stage, but we strongly believe we can work with the Minister to ensure good and strong legislation is achieved.”

“While the numbers of Members who will be affected by this legislation are in the minority, it is unfair to the taxpayer who has elected someone to fulfil two full-time positions that cannot be competently carried out at the same time.”

“Someone holding two elected positions also holds a conflict of interest, and instead we should be ensuring all elected representatives can dedicate all their time and resources to those who elected, and those who hold them to account.”

“This will deliver positive and progressive policy, which strengthens Tasmania’s democracy and ensures Tasmanian receive value for their buck from their elected representatives,” Mr O’Halloran said.