Women place fallback plan on the table

The Women's Coalition has confirmed it had tabled a paper proposing a shadow government if the review failed to reach agreement…

The Women's Coalition has confirmed it had tabled a paper proposing a shadow government if the review failed to reach agreement on the establishment of an executive and decommissioning.

Ms Monica McWilliams said they had called for the nomination of shadow designate ministers who "would work together to form a programme for government" and prepare for the devolution of power.

"Every single day I am out there people are complaining to me about decisions in hospitals being delayed, mobile huts where kids are still being taught - 35 in a class - they're saying what are you doing about it?

"So at least then, we will be tasking ourselves to do something about it, spelling out what that proposed government would do once that inclusive executive was established with full devolved powers. It is an interim measure leading eventually to the full power coming down."

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The party has also advocated the establishment of a cross-party agreement implementation committee. Ms McWilliams said even if the review failed the process had not.

"My instinct is that we may not get to where we had hoped to be in that Senator Mitchell's terms of reference are very tight. A full inclusive executive - possibly not. Decommissioning to be confirmed - possibly not. Agreement to work with de Chastelain - possibly yes.

"But if he doesn't fulfil his terms of reference as established by the two governments at this stage, that does not mean that we, the parties, cannot open this up, bank what we have discussed in the last two weeks and take it on to the next phase."