Independent Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has repeatedly sided with the Opposition on two major issues last week in State Parliament.
The one-time Liberal was joined by other crossbenchers on Tuesday to successfully back a Labor-initiated parliamentary probe into a Kangaroo Island wharf facility planning decision taken by Deputy Premier Vicki Chapman.
Later in the day, a similar Labor/Independent alliance amended the Constitution Act to create the position of Independent Speaker.
Liberal incumbent Josh Teague was subsequently evicted from the Speaker’s chair and a secret ballot at 11.57pm installed Liberal defector Dan Cregan as the new speaker.
Both matters required procedural votes and Mr Bell supported them each time.
Mr Bell did not speak to either the Chapman inquiry motion or the Independent Speaker motion.
However, he did make a lengthy parliamentary appeal on Tuesday for State Government financial support to the Lower South East region in the wake of additional temporary COVID-related restrictions.
They were recently imposed in Wattle Range, Grant District and Mount Gambier City council areas after a local woman tested positive to COVID after returning from Victoria.
Mr Bell has told The SE Voice the reasons for his votes.
“I supported the Constitution (Independent Speaker) Amendment Bill because I believe the Speaker best serves the Parliament when they are truly independent of any major party affiliations,” Mr Bell said.
“The amendment was put forward by an Independent colleague – Frances Bedford – with good intentions and I supported it, along with 23 other MPs.
“To ensure that relevant questions and legislation in the public’s best interests are dealt with fairly, an independent Speaker is the best choice.
“This legislation is based on the Westminster system of government, where if a person is a member of a political party, they are required to suspend their political membership during their term as Speaker.
“A good example of this in practice is Andrew MacLachlan from the Upper House.
“Even though Andrew was a member of the Liberal Party, he did not attend any party strategy meetings and so was a true independent President for the Upper House.”
Mr Bell said it was appropriate for a Select Committee to examine matters relating to the Kangaroo Island wharf facility.
“When an issue dominates Parliament’s time, it takes away from other legislative matters that also need attention and this has been an ongoing issue brought up on the floor of Parliament over the last few months,” he said.
“There are many Select Committees leading independent investigations ongoing throughout the year on a range of topics.
“Similar to my support of the South East forestry inquiry, I support greater scrutiny on issues that affect regional communities.”
