Parliamentary timetable absurd — Mr Palmer

Press, 14 June 1984, Page 30

Parliamentary timetable absurd — Mr Palmer

PA New Plymouth The New Zealand Parliamentary timetable is absurd and needs to be changed so that the Government is more accountable for its actions, says Labour’s deputy leader, Mr Palmer. In an address to the New Plymouth North Rotary Club, Mr Palmer said no other Parliament in an advanced Western democracy used such an “absurd” system as New Zealand. Parliament’s first debate this year was held on June 1, s¥z months after the last one concluded, he said. “I have heard various explanations for the habit of having Parliament dormant half the year,” Mr Palmer said. “Some say it is deeply rooted in our agricultural and pastoral past, that it has to do with when the cows dry off or the rams are put out for tupping.

“What may have suited landowners in the nineteenth century is hardly now. Yet we remain firmly fixed to the

horse and buggy era when it comes to running Parliament."

Mr Palmer said Parliament was the country’s central democratic institution and to place it in forced hibernation for half the year raised serious issues. Ministers could not be questioned, Government policy could not be debated as it arose, and Ministers found it easier to escape taking responsibility for their actions when the House was not sitting, he said.

Mr Palmer said Parliament’s Standing Orders needed to be changed so that greater use was made of limited-time debates to prevent tedious repetition; Parliament was prohibited from sitting beyond midnight; and all debate was broadcast while Parliament was sitting. He said it was Labour Party policy to establish a regular sitting schedule for Parliament, with dates set* in advance.