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Canberra Today 19°/23° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Public asked to ‘tackle Assembly size’

CANBERRANS have been asked to think about doubling the number of local politicians by the expert group reviewing the size of the ACT Legislative Assembly. Legislative_Assembly_ACT_Chamber

The group released a discussion paper today aimed at stimulating public discussion on the size of the Assembly.

The paper includes a suggestion of up to 35 members of the Assembly representing five electorates.

ACT Electoral Commissioner Phillip Green says public input into the review will be “very important.”

“This review will be relevant to all ACT citizens who have an interest in how the ACT is governed,” he says.

“With just 17 Members of the Legislative Assembly, the ACT has fewer elected Members serving the interests of the ACT community than any other State or Territory in Australia.

“As I indicated at the declaration of the poll for the 2012 ACT election in October, I believe it is time for the ACT to tackle this difficult issue in time to implement any change to the size of the Assembly at the 2016 election.”

Public submissions to the inquiry will close on 1 March 2013.  The group also intends to meet with Members of the Legislative Assembly.

To view the discussion paper, click here or visit http://www.elections.act.gov.au.

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