Former Labor Leader David O’Byrne has backed the importance of politicians honouring the will of the people.

Mr O’Byrne has told today’s Australian:

‘If I’m elected as an independent, the contract I have with the people of Franklin is to act as an ­independent.’

While the re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government’s “Stability Clause” won’t apply to independents, Mr O’Byrne has clearly enunciated the principle on which this policy is built.

Tasmanians deserve to have the Government they voted for.

If re-elected we will act to restore certainty and stability in the Tasmanian Parliament by legislating to require that MPs who quit their party mid-term forfeit their seat in the Parliament.

We will amend section 34 of the Constitution Act to provide that if an elected member ceases to be a parliamentary member of the political party for which they were elected, then their seat becomes vacant, and a recount occurs.

This will result in a member of the Party for which they were first elected replacing them, and would restore the proportionality of the Parliament, as chosen by the voters.

As Mr O’Byrne observes: MPs have a contract with the people who have elected them.

It’s time that contract was set in stone.