The Queensland Council of Civil Liberties calls for evidence of public support for four-year terms before any deicison is taken, reports Amy Remeikis in the Brisbane Times (3.2.16).
‘In our view, given that Queensland has no upper house, no human rights act and a well-known history of authoritarianism, parliamentary terms should not be increased until democracy and public accountability in this state have been significantly improved.
‘It is ironic that when the Labor Party abolished the upper house, one of its arguments was that it was a safe thing to do because parliamentary terms were only three years long.
‘One of the few restraints on government in this state should not be watered down without both sides being given a proper chance to put their case.’