Parliamentary reform question raised again

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 21

Parliamentary reform question raised again

Parliamentary reporter The perennial subject of Parliamentary reform will be raised again soon in the Government caucus.

A standing committee of the House brought down several major reforms in 1979, but pressure for further changes keeps up, particularly from backbenchers, who feel that older members are unable to see procedures of the House objectively.

The member for Gisborne, Mr R. L. Bell, canvassed all caucus members about, areas needing reform, and has had enough response to convince him the matter could be profitably raised in the caucus.

Members say the questionnaire looked at months of sitting of the House, hours of sitting each day, abuse of the notices of motion, questions

and private bills procedure, and the matter of quorums. At present. Government moves to take urgency on a bill can fail if the Opposition asks for a count of the House because numbers have dropped below’ 20. Some members have become exasperated that they are unable to go to their rooms and work because they are required in the House to make up a quorum. A private members’ bill proposed earlier this year to extend the length of the Parliamentary term was dropped after the National Party conference very narrowly rejected it, but a high level of frustration with some House procedures has kept interest in reform up.

Mr Bell said that he would raise the matter in the caucus in about two weeks.