Page 1226 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 April 1994
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It will be the individual voters who will have the chance to say, "No, I do not want to support somebody I consider to be incompetent", or, "Yes, I want to support somebody I consider to be competent". That is what they are frightened of. That is exactly what Mr Berry is frightened of. That is the reason why people like Mr Connolly ought now to say, "This is how I can deliver for Labor voters, for Labor supporters, who are long term; I can now deliver them a real say; I can give them real power in the decision making". This is true consultation and this is the fairest and most equitable way to deliver it. This is the opportunity to override the power machine that has delivered this system.
We know, Madam Speaker, that the first and most rigorous attempt by Labor to do away with people's genuine choice was the above-the-line party ticket voting system. This is the second arrow in the quiver. The first one was the most powerful one. That having failed, and Labor's credibility having taken a huge dive with it, they are now going for this one. Unfortunately, Mr Stevenson appears to have seen an opportunity in this as well, and I can understand that. After all, he did very well at the last election with his slogan "Don't vote informal; vote abolish". There is no doubt that there will be an advantage in it for Mr Stevenson. He will come out with some equally catchy cry for this next election. Of course, Mr Stevenson can use one of his polls to support whatever he wants to say.
Madam Speaker, the reality is that people voted at the referendum for the system as used in Tasmania. I think you are aware, and I think, genuinely, that Labor members are aware, from their discussions with people in Canberra at the time, that people understood that to mean no how-to-vote cards available outside polling booths and no electoral material. Mr Humphries's amendment is designed to deliver to the people of Canberra what they wanted from that referendum.
MR WESTENDE (5.29): Madam Speaker, I am certainly not a career politician. I have not spent my life in politics and I might not be classified as a so-called political animal, but I have been around for quite some time; in fact, for longer than most of us here in this chamber. I have been around in this city since 1956, on and off, and I talk to a lot of people. One thing that comes through loud and clear from almost everyone I speak to is that - - -
Mr Berry: Have any of them voted in Tasmania for the upper house?
MR WESTENDE: They know all about Tasmania, Mr Berry. They have read about Hare-Clark. That is why they voted for Hare-Clark and why they voted for Robson rotation, and as such - - -
Mrs Grassby: They all know about it! Everybody in Canberra knows about Tasmania!
MR WESTENDE: Mr Berry says that we do not know, and that the people do not know. We all know about Robson rotation and we do not need how-to-vote cards. Much has been said by my colleagues and by some of the Independents. I think Mr Stevenson, even at this late stage, should rethink and change his mind. I might remind Mr Stevenson about comments he made in this chamber, Madam Speaker. He has made comments in this house about the right of the people to make decisions. If you allow how-to-vote cards you will let the party machine decide, not the people.
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