Prime Minister's Discussion Paper:

Resolving Deadlocks in Parliament

Expert panel rejects PM's deadlock proposal

1 June 2004, Canberra: The final report into Prime Minister John Howard's proposal to reduce the power of the Senate has been handed down. Owing to overwhelming public opposition, it recommends that none of the proposals be implemented.

Read the final report: http://www.pmc.gov.au/docs/constitutionalchange.cfm

What's the issue?

Section 57 of the Australian Constitution provides a mechanism for resolving disputes between the House of Representatives and the Senate, when the Senate refuses to pass government legislation.

You can read our submission in response to this Discussion Paper, in which UNSWCCL recommends that the Prime Minister's proposals not be put to referendum because they would grant a government the power to rule unchecked by the People or the Senate, upsetting the delicate system of constitutional checks and balances which define Australian democracy and safeguard our liberty.

What's the PM's review?

On 8 October 2003, the Prime Minister released a discussion paper proposing two alternative resolution mechanisms.

• a joint sitting of Parliament without calling an election
• a joint sitting of Parliament after an ordinary general election (that is without all Senators being forced to re-election)

The Australian people are being asked what they think of these proposals.

What can you do?

The Prime Minister is accepting submissions from the public and UNSWCCL encourages everyone to have their say.

Your submission need be no more than a few lines explaining what you think about the current and proposed resolution mechanisms. You should also talk to or email your local member of the House of Representatives or the Senate to register your opinions.

You can find out more about how to make a submission at the Review's website. The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2003.

There are also a series of public meetings planned across Australia to help you understand the issues. The public meeting in Sydney is scheduled for Tuesday 2 December 2003 at 7pm at the State Library of NSW in Macquarie Street.

Other information

Read the Prime Minister's discussion paper: "Resolving Deadlock"

Read UNSWCCL's response to the PM's discussion paper.

Read the Prime Minister's one-page summary of his proposals.

Read the Prime Minister's three-page summary of his proposals.

Read section 57 of the Australian Constitution.