Got a beef? Wouldn't it be handy if you could just phone your local politician anytime - even better on his/her mobile?

But where do you get a politician's mobile number from? Surely that would be kept from the hoi polloi?

Not in Tasmania. Twelve of the fifteen Legislative Councillors give a mobile phone contact on this official list available from the Parliament House website. I must admit I was surprised to see mobile phone numbers so I had a look at the House of Assembly pages, and the party pages (see the margin on the right for links) but drew a mobile blank. Also had a brief but not complete scan of a few other state parliament/members sites and came up with zero for mobile numbers.

Do published mobile phone numbers for our Leg Councillors make them the most accessible parliamentarians in the country? There's even one for Treasurer Michael Aird, so if you have a view on the way the government spends your money you can have a chat to him about it.

Now THAT'S accessible.

In a recent piece (co-authored with Dr Kevin Bonham) I made the point that one reason the major parties find it hard to compete with independents in the Legislative Council is that the small electorate size allows the member to get close and personal with the voters. And in modern society you can't get more personal and direct than mobile phone contact: most of us have them glued to our ears (or to our texting digits) 24/7.

I think it's a good thing. More politicians should publish a mobile phone number.

Having said all of the above, I must point out that I haven't tried any of the mobile numbers (got nothing to say) so I don't know how many go straight to the respective pollie, or if a staff member carries the phone. If anyone does try, let me know the outcomes at peter.tucker(at)tdctasmania.com.