The problem with petitions is that although they create a feel-good feeling,
they don't work. I remember the late Don Chip, who was then the leader of
the Democrats, describing what happened to petitions. They are wheeled in
to Parliament just before the start of Parliamentary business for the day.
The MPs are studying the order of business and chatting to each other. A
MP moves that permission be granted to receive the petition. Permission is
granted.
They are then wheeled away to the basement and never heard of again. 'But I
tell you, if any politician receives 50 individual letters (not form ones),
he will be in my office next morning, saying "You must do something about X.
There's a groundswell out there.."
The solution is obvious.
David Robertson
Adelaide
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