Constitution (Fixed Term Parliament) Referendum Bill 2015

Introduced the private member's bill and led the reform. Argued fixed four-year terms would provide better governance, remove election speculation, ensure fairness for all parties, and boost business confidence.

“It provides for better government and better public policy making because decisions can be made in the interests of outcomes and better services for Queenslanders rather than short-term political gain or what may be in the news that day or that week.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Supported the bill on behalf of the government, foreshadowed amendments to implement the Finance and Administration Committee's recommendations, and emphasised that fixed four-year terms will create more stable and effective government.

“The government has formed the view that the introduction of fixed four-year terms will create more stable and effective government for Queensland.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As Leader of the Opposition, strongly supported the bills, arguing four-year fixed terms would provide certainty, reduce cynicism about political opportunism in calling elections, and benefit the people of Queensland.

“If this passes and the referendum is carried, it will provide certainty to the people of Queensland and will reduce cynicism with regard to political motivation and the opportunism that comes around calling an early election because there will not be one.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As chair of the Finance and Administration Committee, supported the bills, emphasising the committee's comprehensive bipartisan inquiry including 11 forums across the state and the importance of accountability mechanisms to accompany four-year terms.

“If we are going to a four-year term, the naysayers against it will say, 'It's just politicians giving themselves some more time.' I think it is very, very important for us as a parliament to show that we take our responsibility very, very seriously to ensure there are checks and balances.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As deputy chair of the committee, supported the bills and praised the comprehensive inquiry process including public forums, surveys and expert evidence across regional and metropolitan Queensland.

“By and large across-the-board with very few people against the concept, the support was there for four-year terms, and in particular fixed four-year terms.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the bills and highlighted that fixed terms were the key issue for Queenslanders consulted during 11 forums, with strong support from business for certainty around election dates.

“A fixed term was definitely the key with Queenslanders and they were definitely more in favour of four years.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As Premier, supported the bills as providing certainty for government, business and community planning, and noted the bipartisan consensus and the inclusion of safeguards for early dissolution in extraordinary circumstances.

“My government is committed to jobs and the long-term economic prosperity of this state and the introduction of fixed four-year terms will provide the certainty that the Queensland people and the Queensland economy need.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the bills and emphasised the importance of bipartisan support for the referendum to succeed, noting the lack of bipartisanship contributed to the 1991 referendum failure.

“One of the great things that I think we will see come out of a fixed parliamentary term—and particularly a fixed four-year term—is not only greater certainty for business and the people of Queensland but also, irrespective of whatever side of politics is in government, I think we would all agree that will it lead to better government and much better planning.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the bills and detailed the committee's findings on business support for fixed terms, the importance of retaining the committee system as a check and balance in the absence of an upper house, and the recommended October polling date.

“Many of the advocates of four-year terms note that any extension would be a futile exercise without providing for a fixed term as politics would still remain in the equation and the premier of the day would be free to call an election at any time.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

As a committee member, spoke strongly in favour of four-year fixed terms, citing the successful 15-year experience of fixed terms in local government and noting that Queensland and the Commonwealth were the only jurisdictions without fixed four-year terms.

“There are clear advantages of a fixed four-year term, including improved governance and economic management of the state, reduced cost by holding fewer elections and it will also allow for better planning.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Strongly supported the reform as a culmination of a long-awaited constitutional opportunity, arguing that fixed terms would double the productive governing period and provide certainty for business and investment decisions.

“The political opportunism of calling elections at the premier's whim will be a relic of the past. Governments will be accountable on a set day in October for their political performance over the previous four years.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Supported the bills as part of Queensland's ongoing constitutional evolution, emphasising that the parliament was facilitating a choice for the people through a referendum rather than making the decision on their behalf.

“What we are doing with this legislation today is not making this decision on behalf of the people of Queensland. We are facilitating them to make their decision about how they see our Constitution will continue to evolve.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Supported the bills as providing stability, discouraging short-termism and preventing manipulation of election dates for political advantage, noting the 78% of businesses surveyed viewed elections as having a negative impact on the economy.

“I believe that the introduction of four-year fixed terms will have a positive effect on Queensland, providing stability, discouraging short-termism and preventing the manipulation of election dates for political advantage.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Opposed four-year fixed terms on behalf of KAP, arguing that Queensland lacks an upper house to scrutinise legislation, expressing distrust of big government, and citing the arrogance of past majority governments under both Bligh and Newman.

“I do not think that Queenslanders could have gone through another year like that last year of the Bligh government—it was toxic.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Supported the bills based on his experience as a former senator, arguing that fixed terms provide certainty for government, business and the community and that people are tired of frequent elections.

“I do appreciate the fact that we have a unicameral House in Queensland. Having a fixed term arrangement provides certainty for government, it provides certainty for business and it provides certainty for the community and our constituents that we represent.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard

Supported the bills as a sensible constitutional evolution that would bring more stability, improve business and consumer confidence, and allow governments to implement long-term policies in areas like education and health.

“Four-year terms give a longer period in which to get that consistency.”— 2015-12-04View Hansard