News Flash

The State Government's proposed Referendum on the role of the Upper House, the Legislative Council, will not proceed.

The proposal, as tabled by the Government in State Parliament recently, was an attempt to disguise party political advantage as reform.

The PSA does not oppose reform of Parliament or its processes, but it must be done for the right reasons. It needs to be remembered that both Houses of Parliament, the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council, have important, but different roles to play. If change is to occur, there must be genuine informed debate about all relevant issues.

The PSA Campaign, including the widely distributed DVD "Its Your House, Don't Let Anyone Take it Away”, was instrumental in educating the community on the important role that the Legislative Council plays in our democracy. It is the House of Review.

Recently, the Legislative Council demonstrated its independence and effectiveness during the Public Sector Bill debate. Without the Upper House, the Bill would have become law without any amendments, to PSA members' detriment.

The Upper House, as reformed by former Premier Don Dunstan, is elected by the whole State and has never been controlled by a single Political Party. It is imperative the Upper House continues to remain a genuine House of Review.

The decision of the Council not to proceed with the Referendum has saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars which can now be better used to provide improved services to South Australian families.

10 September 2009