Senate committee overhaul evil: Beazley

Australia: "Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has described the Government's plan to cut the number of Senate committees as an 'evil act'.

"The Senate committees can hold specific inquiries into legislation or broader investigations of general issues.

"Under the Government's plan, the number of committees will be reduced from 16 to 10 and all will be chaired by a Government senator.

"Mr Beazley has attacked the proposal.

"'Like all instruments of accountability in this country, this Government's trashing it,' he said.

"'This is because the Government believes the more people know about it, the less they're likely to support it.

"'That is a sound judgment on their part but an evil act.'

"But Prime Minister John Howard has dismissed Mr Beazley's comments.

"'To call changes to the committee structure of the Senate an act of evil, is to give hyperbole a whole new meaning,' he said.

"Sham"

"Federal independent MP Peter Andren has also condemned the Government's move to limit and control the number of Senate inquires.

"'It's been bad before but this is atrocious,' he said.

"'All of this is an absolute denial of our role as legislators to be even able to move amendments that has been banned under this process.

"'It's an absolute disgrace and Parliament has become a shameful sham.'

"But Mr Howard says the changes would not allow the Government to avoid scrutiny."
ABC News

Tagged: australia, john+howard