“Two thirds of the Assembly, 15 of the 25 members, apparently believe that it is okay to screen calls with an answering machine. In a representative democracy, I think that this is simply not good enough,” says political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.

All of the Greens MLAs, and most of the Labor MLAs do not like answering their phones. Just leave a message! 

In marked contrast, the majority of Liberal MLAs do have someone who answers the phone and is helpful.

Only one of the ministers in the ACT had someone answer their phone. The rest relied on their answering machine to screen phone calls.

To assess the position of MLAs on the Voluntary and Assisted Dying Bill 2023, each office in the Legislative Assembly was phoned to assess their position regarding the “in principle” stage of the bill. 

The Liberals made clear that there would be a conscience vote. I could not get this simple piece of information over the phone from Labor.

It was even more confronting from the Greens. The answering machine responded in each of the offices. The phone of new MLA, Laura Nuttall, rang out. As she was new, an hour later I attempted a second time. Rang out!

Although I have personal numbers of some of the MLAs, I did not use these as I became more interested in who would answer their phone than the substantive question on Voluntary Assisted Dying. 

Health Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith’s phone was answered. However, rather than put me through to the media adviser, or someone who understood the legislation, I was asked to put my question in an email. 

An email! No thanks! I rang because I wanted to speak to a real, live person. That is the point of using the phone to make calls.

Two thirds of the Assembly, 15 of the 25 members, apparently believe that it is okay to screen calls with an answering machine. In a representative democracy, I think that this is simply not good enough.

Elizabeth Lee’s office was helpful. They could not give me an immediate answer and, not too long after, I was phoned by a staffer to see what they could do to assist. 

The Liberals do have a conscience vote on Voluntary Assisted Dying. However, they are awaiting the tabling of the report of the Select Committee on the legislation to form a final view.

It was a similar story for Nicole Lawder, Mark Parton, Elizabeth Kikkert, James Milligan, Peter Cain and Leanne Castley. I was hoping to count the numbers to determine if the legislation will pass when it comes before the Assembly. 

However, the Liberals will not make their personal position public until they read the findings of the Select Committee. This position may be annoying – but it is logical.

This is an election year. Granted, the election for the ACT Legislative Assembly is not until October 19. Even so, if MLAs are not prepared to listen this year – what chance is there of effective engagement over the period of the next government?

Roads, rates and rubbish are probably the highest amongst the concerns that constituents wish to raise with the appropriate minister. But they will also want the MLAs from their own electorate to pay attention to ensuring that civic amenity is to the highest possible standards.

In this respect, it is interesting to see the website of Independents for Canberra spruiking their approach for their public meetings: “Share your views on what needs to be done differently in your neighbourhood, what you’d like to see changed (or kept the same!) in your suburb and what your top priorities are for the ACT more generally”.

At the meeting of Independents for Canberra in early February, potential candidates and supporters were of one mind in complaining about accessing their MLAs. Thomas Emerson, joint founder of the group and likely candidate, pointed out that this was a key issue for him. Access to political representatives should be one of the key drivers in a vibrant democracy.

Mr Emerson said: “I’ve been speaking with community leaders representing diverse groups of people across the ACT and there’s a big appetite for a community-led independent movement at this year’s election”. 

“This government has been in power for 22 years. More community involvement in how decisions are made is well overdue”.

Independents have sensed a weakness in the approach of two thirds of the current MLAs. No wonder they are now in the political business of exploiting that vulnerability.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.