QUESTIONS relating to the number of States Members and their terms of office need to be answered before a decision on a general election by 2005 is made, according to Senator Philip Ozouf.

He says that talk of an election before the ministerial system of government comes into force is a ‘sideshow’ and that the reform of the composition of the States should take priority.The Senator’s comments follow yesterday’s proposal that all States Members should face an election before the transition to ministerial government.

Privileges and Procedures president Senator Christopher Lakeman, whose committee are managing the move to ministerial government, has pushed for a general election so that all States Members could go to the polls before going for ministerial office.He wants the Senators elected in 2002 to have to stand as well, even though their terms of office do not expire until 2008.But Senator Ozouf said that Privileges and the Special Committee on the Composition and Election of States Members, which is also chaired by Senator Lakeman, should be dealing with more basic questions about what the States is going to look like, rather than calling for a further election.’This is a sideshow,’ said Senator Ozouf, who topped the poll in the 2002 election.’The fundamental issues here are the composition of the States, the length of office for States Members and the number of States Members.

Once we have dealt with those, then perhaps we can start to talk about who gets elected in 2005.’This is just a sideshow and it is yet another example of Members ducking the real issue.

Within the next two or three months we need to decide what is going to be the make-up of the States by the end of next year.’