Henderson to head to Canberra, Coker calls for remote participation

FEDERAL Parliament resumes next week, but not all of Geelong’s federal representatives will be there.
On August 6, the Acting Chief Medical Officer advised members and senators from Victoria that to comply with a requirement from the ACT government, they would have to be in isolation or quarantine for 14 days before attending Parliament, which begins on Monday, August 24.
Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson will be heading to Canberra but Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker will not.
Last week, Senator Henderson – who revealed on July 31 she was self-isolating for 14 days after coming into contact with a person who had tested positive for the coronavirus – said she would continue to quarantine at her home and then drive to Canberra for the next sitting of Parliament.
“I am relieved that my second (day 11) COVID-19 test was negative.
“During this time in any event, my Geelong office is closed for renovations and my staff and I are working remotely from home.
“I am very pleased that Geelong firm, Lyons Construction, won the tender for the office upgrade, which will be completed in mid-October.”
Ms Coker made the decision not to attend Parliament after a “tough conversation” with her family.
“The two-week quarantine requirement would require me to be away from my family, and the electorate, for a month,” she said last week.
“This decision was not made lightly. I am uncomfortable about being away from Parliament. I want to be in Canberra doing my job.
“I have two daughters, one doing home schooling and the other doing university studies from home. My Mum is also nearby and very vulnerable, and I need to be there for her when she needs help.
“I am not the only MP or Senator that has been forced to make this choice. We want to be in Canberra representing our communities.”
She said the Morrison Government should introduce remote participation for Victorian MPs who could not be in Parliament in person.
““Remote technology is not rocket science and it will mean all Victorian MPs and Senators can represent their communities on important issues.
“Australians have risen to the challenge of this pandemic by working remotely and getting on with the job. Their elected representatives should be no different.
“These are extraordinary times and allowing MPs and senators to participate in the parliamentary process by video link is a practical, temporary solution to the unprecedented challenge our democracy is facing.”