The Federal Opposition has itemised what it calls abuse of process, procedure and convention in the Senate since July 1, the date on which the coalition government assumed a one-seat majority in the upper house.
The ALP leader in the Senate, Chris Evans, has itemised a list of government actions concerning Question Time, censure motions, guillotines, gags and Senate Committees.
The Opposition argues these actions constitute “democratic abuses”.
Text of a media statement Senator Chris Evans, the ALP leader in the Senate.
John Howard’s Senate Abuses – Process, Procedure and Convention – the Story Since 1 July
Since gaining senate control, the Howard Government has rolled out what has become a very long list of democratic abuses.
- Censure Motion – on 8 December Government arrogance in the Senate reached new lows with its contemptuous move to deny debate on an Opposition censure motion – the first time this has happened in the Senate’s history.