Thomas and fellow independent MLA Fiona Carrick co-sponsored this motion, seeking to amend the standing orders to allow an independent Member to sit on the Administration and Procedure Committee.
This Committee makes decisions about the operation of the Assembly, including the ordering of Assembly business, consideration of Member conduct, and discussion of amendments to standing orders. This term of parliament is the first time that there has been at least one independent Member elected to the Legislative Assembly without any independent Members being represented on this Committee. It means that Thomas and Ms Carrick rely on Members from other parties to brief them on changes being considered by the Committee, which has been happening only inconsistently and, in any case, does not give the independents any opportunity to vote on the Committee’s decisions.
The motion was supported by the ACT Greens, but was voted down by ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals, and did not pass.