Electoral (Improving Representation) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Introduced and championed the bill to increase parliament from 89 to 93 seats, arguing the Fitzgerald inquiry's EARC had recommended a seven-yearly review of seat numbers that had never been conducted despite Queensland's population doubling over 30 years.

“After 30 years, despite the recommendation arising out of the Fitzgerald inquiry that the number of seats be reviewed every seven years, nothing has been done and finally a proposal is coming to this House that acts upon that recommendation.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Opposed the bill as Attorney-General, arguing it was the wrong time to spend money on more politicians when Queenslanders needed jobs, and that the proposed changes to the Redistribution Commission would significantly delay the upcoming redistribution.

“We certainly oppose the changes to the Redistribution Commission. We have consistently said we do not believe that this parliament should increase its numbers at this point in time.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Opposed the bill as wrongly motivated and at the wrong time, arguing parliament should focus on creating jobs for Queenslanders rather than jobs for politicians, and that the proposed changes to the Redistribution Commission would delay the redistribution process.

“We on this side of the House do not support more jobs for politicians. We want to focus the time of this House and our government on supporting Queenslanders to get more jobs for them and their families.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Supported the bill as improving access, representation and democracy for Queensland, particularly in regional areas affected by the tyranny of distance, and argued the timing was perfect with the redistribution process about to take place.

“This is about ensuring improved access, representation and restoring democracy to Queensland people.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Opposed the bill, rejecting the argument that geographic size justified expanding parliament and arguing the arbitrary choice of four extra seats had not been satisfactorily explained, and that representation could be improved through additional resources rather than more members.

“I do not believe with the explosion in technology over the last 25 years that that is the case and that those problems cannot be overcome by additional facilities and technology.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Opposed the bill, expressing concerns it was designed to delay the redistribution process and potentially fix LNP preselection problems, and warned of the National Party's historical legacy of malapportionment.

“We should be focused on jobs outside of this chamber, not four extra jobs for their friends, for their mates.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing no constituent had ever raised the issue of more politicians with her and that parliament's time should be focused on jobs, domestic violence, and other priorities that Queenslanders care about.

“Queenslanders do not want four new jobs for politicians; they want jobs for them and jobs for their children.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard

Opposed the bill based on her experience chairing the Finance and Administration Committee's four-year term inquiry, where it became clear through public forums and submissions that Queenslanders did not want more politicians.

“What became quite clear to me in that really comprehensive undertaking was that people absolutely do not want more politicians.”— 2016-04-21View Hansard