THE Howard Government has entrenched its parliamentary power and will avoid scrutiny of contentious legislation with an audacious plan to seize control of Senate inquiries.
In the most assertive use of the Senate majority won by the Coalition last year, the changes will allow the Government to control the agenda of all upper house inquiries.
It will have the power to approve every matter or piece of legislation referred to Senate committees for investigation and ensure every committee chairman is from the Coalition.
The Government can also bar embarrassing witnesses from appearing before Senate inquiries, helping it avoid unwanted scrutiny of legislation and political controversies such as the children overboard scandal.
Kim Beazley immediately branded the move, announced last night by Finance Minister Nick Minchin, an "act of evil". And Opposition senators decried it as "arrogant and high-handed", complaining it would further sideline the Senate as a house of review.
In a letter sent to party leaders, Senator Minchin said the changes were designed to "achieve greater efficiencies and effectiveness". This would be done by collapsing the present 16 committees into a system of eight or 10.
Full Story 
Jun 21, 2006 @ 11:19:46
And what a way to get out of crimes that has been commited its a joke and they should (Liberal Party)be held accountable for all of it. 
