Labor takes family friendly parliament back to the dark ages
16 Aug 2016
Media release Today Bill Shorten and the Labor party has announced that it will take the Australian Parliament from being the most family friendly parliament in the country to the least.
In an act of political point scoring, the Manager of Opposition Business said today it would not allow pairs for MPs stating “The House of Representatives normally doesn't have pairs, with the exception of a hung parliament.. that's the only time that's happened."
This is completely wrong.
The system of pairs in the House of Representatives has been observed for over 50 years. It is a system based on honour and cooperation between Members of Parliament which is above petty politics.
In 2016, the Turnbull Government introduced progressive changes to the Standing Orders which made the House of Representatives the most family friendly Chamber of Parliament in Australia by allowing parents - women and men - to bring their children into the Chamber for a division while they were caring for their child.
"Bill Shorten's attitude to pairs in the 45th Parliament is a regressive step that takes the Parliament back to the Dickensian era of workplace relations and undermines the ability of Australians, particularly women, to participate in national politics".
"If Mr Shorten refuses to grant pairs, we will be returned to a situation where MPs who have young children are unable to represent the interests on their constituents in Parliament."
"Mr Shorten needs to explain why he is refusing to provide a pair to an MP who is in hospital or has the care of a sick child or relative."