Parliamentary Reform Bill Shredded

Youth Members this morning put forward their parliamentary reform bill, calling for change in the way Queensland parliament is created. The main issues of the bill included lowering the age of voting to 15 years, to encourage young people to become more engaged in the parliamentary process, opening up the second chamber of parliament, the senate and changing the role of the Speaker.

The Bill was voted down, by stripping it of it's main points in the amendment process, nothing was left but a title and definitions. Despite this the issue's raised and the debate shared covered many important issues and saw many new members get up to argue.

Speakers encouraged members to vote for the reform bill by stating that these changes will make Queensland a leader in parliamentary reform. By making the Speaker bipartisan the reform bill hopes to remove bias and increase accountability in the process of creating legislation.

Lowering the age of voting to 15 was the most heavily debated clause. The age drop proposed would not be compulsory for those between 15 and 18 year of age. Compelling arguments about the role a 15 year old plays in society, including the fact they often pay tax were met with division as both sides of the argument were well though out and delivered.The motion was voted down 43 against, 23 for.

A highly charged argument also followed the proposed re-opening of the Red Chamber, or Senate in Queensland. While some saw this as an extra measure of checks and balance, others saw this as yet another unnecessary step, akin to the debate over State Governments relevance. Member for Bundaberg, Jackson McGovern, argued that, "4 cooks can never bake a good cake together" a theory supported by the Member for Thuringowa, Kate Holt, who says no to "Mayors for Members". The motion was voted down 35 against, 28 for.