Canberra attorney-general censured for closing libraries on Sundays
The Assembly censured Attorney-General Tara Cheyne for closing Canberra's libraries on Sundays.
The ACT Legislative Assembly censured Attorney-General Tara Cheyne. She closed the city's libraries on Sundays against a parliamentary directive.
A June private members bill required the government to pause any changes to library hours. The pause continued until pick-up lockers were available.
Cheyne went ahead with the closure on 27 August. Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton said censure is the strongest parliamentary tool besides a no-confidence vote.
Greens deputy leader Andrew Braddock said the government's decision showed Assembly resolutions were being treated as optional, not required. Independent Thomas Emerson argued the conduct was not as serious as previous censures for incompetence.
- Tara Cheyne
- Attorney-General
- 27 August
- Closure date
- 12 June
- Original directive passed
- almost 13,000
- Seatbelt fines affected
Why it mattersCensure is parliament's strongest rebuke; it shows that ministers ignore the elected Assembly's will.
AustraliaCanberra residents lose Sunday access to libraries; parliament's authority to direct ministers is now in question.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 8 d ago
