Milestone for Australian democracy as Greens’ territories bill becomes law

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has welcomed the passage into law of legislation which ensures the democratic right of territory citizens to be governed by their elected representatives without a federal executive override.

"This is the first Greens' bill ever to pass the federal parliament. Support for the bill is an extension of the new politics in Australia where people have voted for greater diversity and support better representation for all Australians. It is simply common sense," Senator Brown said in Canberra today.

The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010, introduced into the Senate by Senator Brown on 29 September 2010, was passed by the lower house today after the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, having completed an inquiry, recommended it become law.

"The passage of the bill is an enhancement of democracy in Australia and means laws in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory can only be overturned by an act of federal parliament rather than at the whim of a federal minister or Cabinet," Senator Brown said.