The LNP wants more police, not MPs. Expert says it’s a ‘false economy’

The LNP, Queensland's ruling political party, has publicly stated its preference for increasing police numbers over expanding the number of members of parliament, according to officials and analysts. This stance comes amid growing concerns over the capacity of the state legislature to handle rising population pressures and evolving governance demands. A key figure in the debate, Neil Laurie, Clerk of the Queensland Parliament, has argued that the current approach, prioritizing law enforcement over legislative expansion, is a "false economy," citing financial figures that suggest adding more MPs could be significantly cheaper than maintaining the existing structure. Laurie, who has served in his role since 2003, made these comments during an estimates hearing earlier this year. He emphasized that while the government has focused on funding additional police forces, the cost of sustaining the current parliamentary framework is far greater. According to Laurie, the annual expenditure on supporting the existing MPs and their offices exceeds $35 million, whereas adding a new MP, along with necessary infrastructure and staffing, would cost approximately $1 million per year. His analysis challenges the conventional wisdom that expanding the legislature is too costly, suggesting instead that the current model may be unsustainable both financially and functionally. The discussion around legislative reform has gained traction following a recent academic paper by Dr. Nicholas Aroney, who has long advocated for the restoration of an upper house in Queensland. The Legislative Council was abolished in 1922, leaving the state with a unicameral legislature that operates under a "winner takes all" system. Laurie acknowledged Aroney's arguments but noted that the creation of an upper house would require a constitutional referendum and bipartisan support, which are currently lacking. Instead, he proposed alternative reforms such as constitutional safeguards to prevent rushed legislation and the introduction of super-majority requirements for certain types of bills. In addition to these structural changes, Laurie highlighted the need to modernize the government-controlled committee system, which has remained largely unchanged for 15 years. A review conducted a decade ago opted for a cautious approach, allowing the committees to "evolve and develop" gradually. However, critics argue that this slow pace has led to inefficiencies and a lack of responsiveness to contemporary issues. Recent electoral boundary adjustments have further complicated the situation, forcing the government to consider whether to increase the number of MPs or risk creating more imbalanced representation, particularly in rural areas. Despite these calls for reform, both the LNP and the opposition Labor Party have shown reluctance to engage in discussions about expanding the legislature. Officials from the LNP cited public sentiment as a primary concern, noting that many citizens are wary of having more politicians. A spokesperson for Attorney-General Deb Frecklington reiterated the government's focus on enhancing policing rather than increasing parliamentary numbers, aligning with the broader political strategy of emphasizing security and law enforcement. The debate over legislative reform intersects with other pressing issues within the public sector, including the management of State Development, where recent leadership changes have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Former Director-General John Sosso and his successor, David Mackie, were found to hold shares in a uranium mining company despite a ban on extraction activities in the region. These developments have prompted scrutiny over the appointment processes and ethical standards within the public administration, though responses from the Premier's office remain pending. As the conversation continues, the challenge lies in balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for effective governance. With the population continuing to grow and the demands on the legislative body intensifying, the question remains whether the current model can sustain itself or if meaningful reforms will eventually be pursued.