Additional comments by Senator David Pocock

1.1I thank the Committee for their work on this report, and the efforts of the community in making their voices heard through the submission process.

1.2I support the Committee Report, and would like to add additional comments when it comes to territory representation.

Territory representation

1.3I thank the Committee for recommending an increase from two to four on three year terms. This is a step forward and will ensure the territories have greater representation.

1.4Rather than simply stipulating a new number (four), the base level of representation should be legislated as needing to be more than one third, but less than two thirds of the States’ Senate allocation.

1.5While four senators fits within this, adding such guidelines would ensure that Territory representation would grow proportionally with the electorate as it will for the States, thus providing a permanent structural solution aligned with the values of representative democracy.

1.6This provides a durable solution that can be used into the future should the level of representation from the States change. Territories should not have to continually fight to ensure that they are fairly represented in the Federal Parliament.

1.7Legislate that the baseline level of representation for the ACT and NT in the Senate be more than one third, but less than two thirds of the States’ Senate allocation. This should start out at half with the ACT and the NT each having 6 Senators. Terms should also increase to six years and commence on 1 July following the election in line with the states. This would mean three senators up for election every three years.

Senator David Pocock

Independent Senator for the Australia Capital Territory