‘M.P.s over-worked’

Press, 26 May 1981, Page 6

‘M.P.s over-worked’

Members; of Parliament lave “far too’much”-work to fo, the Labour Party’s Shadow Minister for constitudonal (affairs (Mr G. W. R. Palmer) told a public meeting in Christchurch, last even"g- < / ' At the meeting,.organised, ay the (Labour Party’s' Fenda 1 tori'electorate, Mr Palmer outlined ...plans for helping const part of the party’s; . ' policy on . open ?over fe?' O;. V?: Members of Parliament were expected to do various tasks,/including representing constituents, legislating, promoting .political,parties, acting as local community leaders, and as “watch-dogs” on

the executive arm of government y ” » ; ••.( As a member’s energies were "dissipated between ... these various activities, there is hot-time to do all of them . effectively/’ S. ~ Mr Palmer said he had worked more than 70 hours. n in many weeks: It has ; been ' estimated that between 15 and ; 20 people referred serious personal problems to their .member of Parliament each’ J week. Constituency yvork was important, but time-consuming. He saw the . work-load as a “potent” ar-( gument for. more members of Parliament.' * ' w Back-bench members were usually entitled to a half - share: in a secretary ;ih;Wellington. This compared with a

- member of the United States House of Representatives s who was allowed 18 staff i (paid for'by the taxp'ayer), j and members of the Ausi tralian Federal Parliament who were entitled .to at least I two full-time staff members. As part ‘.of the , Labour i Party’s Parliament package, >■( it would ensure' that each member of Parliament was’ provided with paid secreta-. 'rial assistance in his or her electorate to help with constituency work, arrange appointments, ( help with ( . research, arid answer inquiries. :J' ; , - Mr Palmer said the cost would be less than $1 million, . and the measures should help -improve the performance of members of Parliament. I