Democracy Ditched, And The Question I Would Have Asked...!
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur has condemned the Labor Party, who yesterday worked with crossbench minor parties to force through a vote cancelling this week’s session of Parliament less than an hour after debate began.
All crossbench MPs, with the exception of the Liberal Democrats and the Derryn Hinch Party, voted with Labor to abandon the sitting and return only on 31 August, subject to medical advice.
Mrs McArthur said: “I cannot express how angry this shoddy decision makes me. When Government assumes ever more power, when individuals rights’ are increasingly curtailed, we need more scrutiny of decisions, not less. Democratic debate is never more important than when our liberties are at stake."
"The Premier may feel within his rights to make controversial and far-reaching decisions over people’s lives and liberty, but to shirk parliamentary scrutiny of these choices is an affront to democracy. It’s quite simply disgraceful.”
“I went to Parliament yesterday to ask serious questions. I have spent the last weeks speaking to desperate people, and promised them that I would do all I could – as their democratically elected representative – to raise their grievances in Parliament. That right has been denied them, in a move which would win the approval of any third-world tinpot dictator.”
“Daniel Andrews appears to consider Parliament an ornament, to be polished and exhibited when convenient, and shoved back in the cupboard when the visitors have gone. His disregard for democracy is breathtaking and dangerous. We must never forget it.”
“To padlock Parliament on the say so of four-lines of non-specific platitudes from a mid-ranking bureaucrat is despicable. The letter simply stated “Given the current community transmission of COVID-19 in Melbourne, attending workplaces in person poses ongoing and unacceptable risk. In light of these changes, effective immediately, all parliamentary business, including sitting of both houses, should not be conducted in person.” [Full letter available on request.]
If a CFMEU building site can operate, why is democracy ditched? Why has the Premier also punished children and housebound parents by refusing them access to a playground which for many with no backyard or in a flat, provides their only escape from house arrest? As with almost every other decision in this pandemic, the Andrews Government refuses to release the substantive health advice on which these convenient decisions are made. Instead we are denied the opportunity to question Ministers, to stand up for our constituents and all the people and businesses of Victoria who have been plunged into despair by these ever longer, ever stricter dictates.
Nearly eighteen months into this Pandemic, the Government has failed to find a safe plan for holding Parliamentary sittings in person, or even properly enabled virtual sessions. Again yesterday they rejected a worked plan for rapid-testing, social distancing and time-limited sessions. All around the world we’ve seen national and state Parliaments adapt, but in Victoria Dan’s default mode is to lock the doors.
Yesterday, I intended to demand an answer from the Minister for Health about the catastrophic mental health crisis faced by so many in Western Region Victoria, and to demand the real-time release of statistics on the damage lockdowns are causing. This isn’t just a matter of academic interest – it’s essential for making decisions which properly balance public health with the social, economic and psychological consequences of lockdown.
Instead, thanks to a Labor Government which won’t even justify itself to the people’s representatives in Parliament, I couldn’t even ask this vital question, let alone get an answer.
Today’s cancellation of Parliament is just the latest insult to tradition, democratic process and the rights and liberties of Victorians. I almost fear to ask, what will come next?
18 August 2021