MEDIA RELEASE: How the Crossbench Can Influence Parliamentary Integrity

Independent Member for Clark Helen Burnet will be presenting at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Australia and Pacific Regional Conference in Hobart on Tuesday the 10th of November.
 
Keeping in tune with the theme of the conference which is Parliaments of the Future: Integrity, Innovation and Inclusion, Ms Burnet will speak to “How the Crossbench Can Influence Parliamentary Integrity.”
 
Helen Burnet says that in Tasmanian Parliament today the cross bench is larger than the opposition – so it’s clear that the people of Tasmania want more integrity in politics as they turn away from the older parties after years of broken promises and integrity issues.
 
“The community across the state can see that there are massive problems happening in Tasmania.  They can see that there are problems with health, housing, education, job cuts, ferries, crippling cuts to TMAG and Parks staff, stadium cost blow outs – all manner of things are hurting and failing because of decisions that have not been focused on people and integrity first,” Ms Burnet said.
 
“Now there is the issue of mega scale AI data centres that are being pushed on to the community.  It’s clear that the community across Tasmania want to have these massive AI data factories on hold until there is regulation in place and they feel like all the environmental, water, noise and energy questions are answered.
 
“You now have Labor and Liberal pushing ahead with data centres – even though the community doesn’t want it rushed through.  
 
“If it wasn’t for The Greens’ motion and an effective cross bench, we wouldn’t be having the current AI data centre inquiry that we are having now.” 
 
Helen Burnet said that the cross bench is often calling for greater integrity and greater transparency.  From the stadium dealings to the government not allowing enough time for Bills to be read and responded to.
 
“One of the issues that continued throughout most of the earlier part of the year was directly related to the Integrity Commission. At the time, 2 government Ministers were being investigated by the Integrity Commission, and whilst the size of the cost was revealed, the detail of the case could not be divulged. By way of Notice of Motion, I successfully referred that section of the Integrity Commission Act to the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity, where it is currently being considered,” says Ms Burnet.
 
"Integrity starts with how we work with each other to achieve the best outcomes for our community," Helen said ahead of the conference. "With an 11-strong crossbench, we are not just holding the government to account; we are actively improving legislation, introducing sensible amendments, and ensuring that important policy decisions get the thorough committee scrutiny they deserve."