Page 987 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 April 1994
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As the provision stands, nominations may be withdrawn or cancelled up to the hour of nomination. The amendment brings the period for withdrawal or cancellation of nominations into line with the period for lodgment of nominations, which cannot be submitted later than 24 hours before the hour of nomination. It is a tidying up exercise.
Amendments agreed to.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (9.05), by leave: Madam Speaker, I move the Government amendments Nos 21 and 22, which read:
21. Page 41, line 7, proposed new paragraph 107(1)(b), omit "4%", substitute "2%".
22. Page 41, line 11, proposed new paragraph 107(1)(c), omit "4%", substitute "2%".
The purpose of amendments Nos 21 and 22 is to amend proposed new paragraphs 107(1)(b) and (c) to lower the threshold for the return of candidates' deposits from 4 per cent to 2 per cent of first preference votes. Madam Speaker, I know that Mr Humphries intends to move an amendment which is along similar lines but which follows, I believe, the Tasmanian practice, where the threshold is at least 20 per cent of the quota counted to the candidate.
Madam Speaker, I prefer the proposal that is put forward in my name. It is based on the Commonwealth model. All I have done to change it from the Commonwealth model is, as the amendment proposes, to reduce it from 4 per cent to 2 per cent. That is a much lower test of the threshold for the return of deposit. As an alternative, I think Mr Humphries's scheme is more complicated. I believe also that, in most circumstances, Mr Humphries's scheme is probably less generous. Nevertheless, Madam Speaker, it is a matter for judgment by members. Perhaps they will want to listen to debate from both sides.
MR HUMPHRIES (9.07): I ask for leave to move my amendments h., i. and j. together. Is that appropriate, Madam Speaker?
MADAM SPEAKER: I think it is better if we deal with amendments Nos 21 and 22.
MR HUMPHRIES: Okay. I take it that I can refer to my amendments, Madam Speaker?
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes.
MR HUMPHRIES: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Ms Follett is quite right; my amendments are slightly more complicated than the position she proposes. The reason for that is that it is a fairer arrangement than the one that she proposes. It is based on the experience in Tasmania. That, I submit, is the arrangement which has been found to be most reasonable and fair to all the parties concerned in Tasmania.
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