Helen Haines (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to put on the Hansard my agreement with the member for Hughes. There are many, many things that we disagree on, but on this occasion I agree with him. The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters recommended that the party membership threshold should be raised to 1,000, not to 1,500. I'm a great champion of participating in our democracy, and I agree with the member for Hughes: we need greater diversity in our parliament, not less. I've been a vocal spokeswoman for gender equality in this parliament and for greater diversity—for people of colour and people from different backgrounds—and I think that these amendments from the member for Hughes are, indeed, reasonable and moderate and in line with the committee's findings. I'm pleased to support these amendments. I think they are sensible and good. As I said, democracy is what we're trying to improve. There is nothing as important to this parliament as a solid and diverse representation in the House, and I support these amendments.

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