Centralised power eroding role of Australian Senate: Clerk

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Updated July 28, 2009 10:23:38

One of Australia's most trusted and fiercely independent Parliamentary officials says the country has one of the weakest Parliaments in the democratic world.

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 has been the Clerk of the Australian Senate for forty years and 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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