Top parliamentary clerk says centralised power eroding Aust. senate

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Updated July 29, 2009 00:17:17

One of Australia's most trusted and fiercely independent parliamentary officials says the country has one of the weakest parliaments in the democratic world. It's been a running concern for Harry Evans, who's been the clerk of the Australian senate for 40 years. He says power is more and more centralised and the role of the parliament's upper house, the senate, in scrutinising government business, has been eroded. Harry Evans shared his views with a large audience in the Australian parliament.

Presenter: Linda Mottram, Canberra correspondent
Speakers: Harry Evans, clerk of the Australian senate; Dr Norman Abjorensen, School of Social Science, Australian National University

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