The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:58): I also support the motion being advanced by the Hon. Michelle Lensink. I think this really reflects modern workplaces. I understand the origins of the Legislative Council's later sitting days go back to the days when members of this place would go and have lunch at the Adelaide Club and then wander over. So they would have their lunch at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, they would go for an hour, and then they would take about 15 minutes to wander over from around the corner. That is the story that I had understood to be the case.
Times have changed since then. Most members of this place do not have membership of the Adelaide Club and are not spending their lunchtimes over there, but also we have a much more diverse parliament in terms of people who have family and other responsibilities. Why we would not simply align our start time with the House of Assembly is beyond me. I do take the point that the Hon. Connie Bonaros has made around the fact that we may have committee meetings and other constituent responsibilities at the front end of the day, but I think that can be managed, particularly if it is paired with reform of our committee system.
Might I say that during my brief time in the federal parliament I observed the way in which that system works. Having standing committees that are appropriately resourced by the parliament and that members can sub in and out of strikes me as a very effective system. It means that you have researchers who are able to hone their skills and focus and interest on particular areas, and you have members of a committee who have a particular interest in an area as well, notwithstanding the fact that other members can be subbed in from time to time.
This all seems like a sensible approach forward, and I am frustrated that the government is not taking this seriously. I have had discussions with, I think, all political parties around the idea of us maybe streamlining our Notice Paper, on Wednesdays in particular, to prioritise matters that are going to a division, so that members are able to plan better for events. Maybe that is something that we can advance after the election, given we are running out of time. Ideally, I would like to see the government have a serious conversation around what we can do to modernise our approach to this after the next election.