MPs Urged to Sign Civility Pledge That Only Haines Had Backed
Published
Members of parliament are being asked to sign a civility pledge, a written promise to treat colleagues and opponents with respect during debates and public statements. The call has been made as parliament prepares for its return, and it has drawn attention because so far only one member, Haines, has publicly supported the pledge.
The pledge is intended to encourage calmer and more respectful behaviour in parliament. Supporters say that politicians who sign it would be showing a shared commitment to good conduct, even when they disagree on policy. Many people in Australia have said that heated exchanges in parliament can make it harder for the public to trust political debate.
So far, Haines is the only MP who has backed the pledge. The fact that other members have not yet signed it means the initiative has a long way to go before it could gain wide support. It is not yet clear how many MPs will choose to sign, or whether the pledge will change how debates are conducted when parliament resumes.
The story is one of several that will be watched closely in the coming weeks. Whether more MPs decide to join the pledge may show how much support there is for changing the tone of political debate in Australia.
Sources: SMH.com.au
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