Appendix B: Relationship to Terms of Reference

This appendix lists the Commission's terms of reference and summarises how each one is addressed (if at all) in this submission.

(a)(i)

The responsiveness and responsibility of the Upper House to the Victorian people

The responsiveness of the Upper House to the Victorian people is the main topic of this submission and is addressed throughout.

(a)(ii)

The role of and accountability of the Upper House in relation to Executive Government

Not addressed.

(a)(iii)

Whether the Legislative Council should retain the power to reject appropriation bills, and, if so, whether any or what limitations should be placed on that power

Not addressed.

(a)(iv)

Whether the Members of the Legislative Council should be elected one half at each election or should all be simultaneously elected

A mild preference for the status quo is expressed in Section 4, particularly 4.3. The relationship between this, the size of electorates, the number of members per electorate (see (a)(v)), and the size of the Council (see (b)(ii)) is discussed in Section 3.2.1.

(a)(v)

Whether the Legislative Council should be elected on the basis of proportional representation and, if so whether this should be on the basis of multi member electorates or on any other and what basis

Strong support for proportional representation based on multi member electorates and additional enhancements to maximise responsiveness (see (a)(i)) is expressed throughout this submission.

(b)(i)

A fixed four year term of Parliament

Not addressed.

(b)(ii)

The reduction, to any and what extent, of the total number of Members of either House of Parliament

A slight decrease is suggested in Section 4, particularly 4.3 and 4.4 to enable a better number of members per electorate (see (a)(v)).

(b)(iii)

The removal or modification in any way of the nexus between the Houses which is provided by sections 27 and 28 of the Constitution Act

Support for modifying the nexus to allow multi member provinces is expressed throughout. However, maintaining the fact that each province consists of a fixed number of complete and contiguous districts is supported in Section 4. Requiring half of the Members of the Council to be elected at the same time as the Members of the Assembly is supported in Section 4.3, though a general election of all Members of the Council is mentioned as an acceptable alternative in Section 4.4.