Since the National Government came into power in December 2008, it has used urgency for 331.5 hours - nearly double the time the former Labour Government sat under urgency in its full first term.Nearly double, and we're still several months away from an election.
Labour is spitting about the use of urgency this week. The use of urgency prior to Christmas is something most governments resort to, in order to push measures through before the break. But when you look at this Government's record overall it paints a troubling picture.
Trevett does the numbers:
Office of the Clerk figures show that in the two years since National came into Government in December 2008, Parliament has sat under urgency for 331 hours - just over one quarter of the time the House was in session.
By comparison, in its first full term from 1999 to 2002, the former Labour Government used urgency for 192.5 hours - about 13 per cent of the time.The excessive use of urgency to pass non-urgent legislation is only one example of the Government's dislike of sensible, steady legislative progress. The Government is also fond of granting wide powers to its ministers to do as they please, with minimum oversight. One needs only to think of the emergency legislation passed in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, or the extraordinary powers given to the Rugby World Cup minister to grant liquor licences.
That increased to 385 hours from 2002 to 2005 and dropped again to 149 hours from 2005 to 2008.
The National Government went into urgency 15 times in its first full year in power in 2009 - under Labour, the most times urgency was used was nine in 2000 - its first full year in power after nine years of National.
John Key may keep smiling, and his outward persona may be one of affability and charm, but it is becoming clearer by the day than neither he nor his government really wants to hear what we think about issues of importance. All of these measures are designed to minimise consultation, oversight, scrutiny and debate.
"...All of these measures are designed to minimise consultation, oversight, scrutiny and debate..."
ReplyDeleteTragically, I think this lot may have an utter contempt of democracy (to much Glenn Beck during the years of twiddling their thumbs in opposition will do that) but the reason for the use of urgency is way, way more simple than a fear of oversight. They are dismantling democracy because the real Prime Minister is Kevin Taylor, and all he cares about is image.
And so democracy ends, not with a bang but with a smooth PR whisper.
Perhaps parliament needs to extend its 2.5 days a week it sits and maybe not knock off from now until Feb. Mind you watching parliament TV you sometimes only have half a dozen in the chamber.
ReplyDeleteThe only defence I've heard is that they don't tend to (mostly) bulldoze the select committee stage. 'But think how much worse we could be!'
ReplyDeleteIn Parliamentary terms this still compresses the thinking time, but I've assumed it's mostly so issues don't gather momentum in the public eye.
Although I do find it increasingly comvincing that they just want to pass a lot of bills.
Generally, as long as they get question time Labour hasn't complained. Which makes one suspect it's the prospect of losing their weekend that bothers them now.
While I don't doubt that the government uses Urgency more than its predecessor, it's worth noting that its predecessor used Urgency more than the 90s National government, who were also criticised for it by National.
ReplyDeleteIn other words it seems we are locked in a cycle of Urgency gradually growing more and more prevalent, with the Opposition of the time making high-minded denunciations of the practice, only to indulge in it when in power because, you see, they're not against Urgency if it's really important, like their policies are.
Generally, as long as they get question time Labour hasn't complained. Which makes one suspect it's the prospect of losing their weekend that bothers them now.
ReplyDeleteIf you're right, it suggests Labour values taking pot-shots at ministers over matters of no import to the hard work of reviewing legislation. Making ministers squirm at question time often gets media coverage. Debating the minutae of important legislation just isn't sexy.
@Hugh, I haven't seen the figures on the use of urgency by the previous National government, but the increasing use of urgency may well be a modern trend. I'm not sure why, or whether changes to the rules have made it easier for some reason. But if this much legislation has to be shoved through urgently it suggests there just aren't enough sitting days.
...it's worth noting that its predecessor used Urgency more than the 90s National government, who were also criticised for it by National.
ReplyDeleteGot stats? I haven't looked, but Danyl reckons it thusly:
http://dimpost.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/urgency.png
Hmm, perhaps I'm wrong Pascal. A friend is currently working on a research project concerning the use of urgency, and she told that the trend was basically a steady increase. I don't know if her research is complete or even correct.
ReplyDeleteBut the fact is, I think the reason that cries that the government is abusing urgency rarely get traction is that neither major party is willing to acknowledge its own abuse of the mechanic.