Speaker Joy Burch is threatening to take the ACT's workplace watchdog to court after COVID-19 fears led to a ban on hearings and committee meetings.
A constitutional showdown looms after the ACT's safety watchdog shut down the territory's parliamentary hearings, stunning local politicians.A safety inspector has banned hearings in the Legislative Assembly, saying the confined rooms are a COVID-19 risk
A workplace inspector placed a prohibition notice on the Legislative Assembly after finding it lacked the physical distancing required to prevent the spread of COVID-19.The inspector ordered the shut-down on Friday afternoon, though the assembly continued with hearings on Monday morning — in apparent defiance of the notice — before later adjourning.
"The terms of the notice are profoundly misconceived as a matter of law, represent a grave threat to the privileges of the assembly, and could quite possibly amount to a contempt of the assembly," Ms Burch, a Labor MLA, wrote. Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said the decision to stop assembly hearings was "extraordinary and concerning".
Labor minister Mick Gentleman, who is the manager of government business, said he was worried about Canberra's high levels of COVID-19 infection, so he invited the safety watchdog to inspect the assembly's meeting areas.
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