The coalition government has this year pushed on with a large programme of new legislation amid growing concerns about increased power being handed to ministers and a reduced level of public scrutiny.
A significant number of bills, including a large number of amendments have been passed under urgency, which enables the government to push through bills quickly. Under urgency, the government can skip steps such as public consultation, select committees and proper debate and it is possible to move a bill through all stages and pass it in a single day.
Former Labour Prime Minister and constitutional law expert, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, has told a select committee carrying out a regular review of standing orders urgency should be limited to genuine emergencies.
Separately he has talked of urgency being a quick and dirty way for the government to get its own way.
He talks to Kathryn about his concerns that consultation and public opinion are becoming all but irrelevant, while the Minister's powers grow
