Poorly performing politicians prodded

Today's Sunday Mail reports that Mr Evans, the recently anointed Leader of the Opposition, plans to initiate a mentoring program for new MPs:

Opposition Leader Iain Evans has designed a program where new members are mentored about the workings of Parliament to help them tackle the expected onslaught from seasoned Government performers.

"We know we are in for a tough fight – we will have to operate a little bit differently," Mr Evans said yesterday.

"We have got 15 MPs in the Lower House and we need all of them operating to their best ability. Each new MP will be allocated an experienced member and they will actually sit with them through the legislative process, so they learn it as quickly as possible."

The Sunday Mail has done some researching of its own:

Official reports of debates in the 2004-2005 session of Parliament show the MPs least likely to speak during debates on legislation were Labor's Frances Bedford, Vini Ciccarello and Steph Key and Liberal MP Liz Penfold.

IMO it's a bit rough to judge them by just one criterion: for example Ms Bedford's official profile claims that she "is a Member or Participant of almost every Community Group in Florey [her electorate]. She has a particular interest in Education and Health issues, and in local bands and orchestras."

Ms Ciccarello's official profile is sketchy but she attends meetings such as the Council Forum held on 6 April, is often seen around Norwood Parade and is perceived by many of her constituents, especially those of ethnic background, to be supportive of their interests.

Ms Key was until the recent election the Minister responsible for the department I used to work for and, at least in the early days of her tenure, made an effort to meet as many of her staff as possible.

Ms Penfold represents a large district in the back country, and her profile and very detailed website hardly suggest that she is a slacker.

Unfortunately nobody has yet examined the contribution of the Legislative Council members. Many of them would be barely if at all known to their electors (all voters in the state).

This said, it would be good to establish some criteria for MP effectiveness: apart from contribution to debates and numbers of questions asked (many of which might be Dorothy Dixers) I'd suggest a good website with lots of information about matters such as grants and services. On this score Mrs Penfold would be near the top of the ratings.