The Government and Parliament have proposed that the rest of the community should increase efficiency through new work methods, with downsizing and outsourcing. Perhaps it is time the people demanded the same efficiency dividends from our members of Parliament. Members and staff would be able to have secure on-line discussions. Constituents would be able to phone and fax their member's office at local call rates, as well as e-mail them or talk via Internet voice and video conference. Another quarter of the sitting days would be replaced with store and forward text based conferencing from the electorate offices.
Parliament spends time on and make possible more detailed discussion.
Members could spend the time saved in their electorates, with constituents. Each electorate office would be equipped with a public video conference room, for constituents to view Hansard live, participate in public hearings of committees and meet with their members remotely. The remaining members would be spending more time in the electorate and be more accessible, improving the level of service to constituents. The savings in salaries, allowances, travel and offices from fewer members would pay for the larger electorate offices, computer equipment and networking for the remaining members. These initiatives will only require one change to the Constitution.