With around 20 bills currently stalled in the Senate and double dissolution triggers piling up in the third Howard Government, it's not surprising Senate reform is firmly back on the political agenda, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen Coonan will tell a leadership forum tomorrow (23 August).
The Minister will address the Australian Davos Connection Leadership Conference tomorrow on the issue of senate reform and call for an end to the Senate being a `House of obstruction'.
"It is not in Australia's interests to have what we have now; two competing governments will almost equal and opposite mandates to govern," Senator Coonan said.
"If it continues, Australia will become progressively ungovernable. A government can live with compromise and expects to be accountable. What makes it difficult for government is when urgently needed reforms in the national interest are opposed outright."
In her speech, Senator Coonan will consider two models of reform including the Lavarch Model which suggests that after a general election, if the Government is returned, bills twice rejected in the previous Parliament should be put to a joint sitting.
"The policies, indeed the precise legislation, would be on display for all to see and discuss during the election. If the nation doesn't approve then there is a democratic right to toss the government out," Senator Coonan said.
"But if the government is returned there is no justification for obstructing or further delaying the passage of those bills."
Senator Coonan will call on the Labor Party to negotiate in good faith with the Coalition on senate reform.
"Arguably, we have the best opportunity in 100 years to make the changes to the Senate design that should have been incorporated at Federation. After 100 years and the evolution of a permanently hostile Senate, the imperfections in the original design are glaringly obvious," Senator Coonan said.
"History will judge harshly those of us who fail to meet the challenge to make the Senate work better for the benefit of all Australians."
The Minister will address the Australian Davos Connection Leadership Conference from 8.30 am tomorrow (23 August). For a full transcript of the speech please contact Jane McMillan on 0408 762 216.