Fed: New plan for Senate reform to temper critics
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD's plans to curb the power of the Senate may be tempered-- with voters getting more say on blocked laws.
Mr HOWARD says a discussion paper to be released next month will contain a proposalfrom former Labor attorney-general MICHAEL LAVARCH to hold a joint sitting of both housesof parliament after an election to consider laws blocked by the Senate.
The prime minister earlier this year backed a plan allowing a government to hold a jointsitting of the House of Representatives and Senate to force through legislation blockedin the upper house.
Under the Constitution, a double dissolution election would have to be called first,with all senators facing the polls instead of half, as is normal.
Mr HOWARD says Mr LAVARCH'S idea ensures the public in effect votes on the blockedlegislation before it gets to a joint sitting.
AAP RTV sw/dl
KEYWORD: SENATE (CANBERRA)
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