Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Premier is to be commended for listening to the Greens, Labor and community concerns about the need for transparency and scrutiny on government during the emergency period.
Mr Gutwein’s announcement that Parliament will return to more regular, albeit adjusted, sittings will be welcomed by Tasmanians concerned to ensure checks on power.
The Greens recognise the health and safety issues for people who work in the Parliament building and the need to protect at-risk Members and staff. We have been reassured appropriate arrangements will be put in place to reduce risk.
Last week, the Greens wrote to the Premier and Labor Leader proposing the establishment of an emergency oversight committee of Parliament.
We also forwarded advice from the Clerk of the House, which included examination of the New Zealand oversight model and identifying challenges to remote or electronic sittings of the Parliament.
Both Dr Woodruff and I very much look forward to Parliament’s return. We’ll continue to work constructively with all our colleagues in supporting Tasmanians through this pandemic and we’ll keep asking the questions that need answers in the weeks and months ahead.