Vic: Bracks commits to upper house overhaul

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Vic: Bracks commits to upper house overhaul

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today vowed to push ahead withreform of parliament's upper house even if it led to Labor losing control of the chamber.

Mr Bracks said he had a mandate to reform Victoria's Legislative Council by introducingproportional representation and fixed four-year terms for all members of parliament.

But he acknowledged it would be difficult for Labor - which has won 25 out of 44 seatsin the upper house - to retain its majority under a system of proportional representation.

"Proportional representation is about your primary vote and in Labor's case the primaryvote is about 48.5 to 49 per cent," Mr Bracks said.

"I would expect therefore, to have that proportion of seats in the Legislative Councilchamber under proportional representation, so effectively it would mean, on current figures,our majority would be reduced or go."

However, he was committed to pushing through the Constitution (Parliamentary Reform)Bill legislation early next year because it was good for democracy.

"Whilst there may be some short-term electoral disadvantage for the Labor Party, inthe long-term this is the best system for parliamentary democracy in Victoria," Mr Brackstold reporters today.

Under the proposed reforms, the 22 upper house MPs who were recently elected for aneight-year term would only serve four years before facing the voters again.

Mr Bracks said he had received legal advice that confirmed the reforms could be introducedsimultaneously and not staggered over several years as previously thought.

Meanwhile, Mr Bracks today announced the Department of Natural Resources and Environmentwould split into two bodies.

The new Department of Sustainability and Environment would focus on conservation, water,recycling, greenhouse gases, industrial waste and planning while a separate Departmentof Primary Industries would take over agriculture and fisheries.

Another new body - the Department for Victorian Communities - would bring togetherthe offices of Commonwealth Games and sport, local government, youth affairs and multiculturalaffairs.

He also announced the appointment of nine new top-level bureaucrats, including educationdepartment secretary Jennifer Westacott and director of schools Kim Bannikoff.

Opposition education spokesman Phil Honeywood today lambasted the recruitment process,insisting the top jobs should have been advertised internationally.

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KEYWORD: UPPER VIC