Electoral Act Amendments Progress

The Electoral Amendment Bill has completed its second reading in Parliament.

Justice Minister Judith Collins said the bill implements recommendations made by the Justice and Electoral Committee in its Inquiry into the 2011 General Election and she was pleased there was consensus on the recommendations.

It was necessary to pass the bill before the 2014 election to allow for greater use of technology and on-line enrolment.

The bill also included new disclosure rules around loans to parties.

Collins said she believed any changes to electoral law required consensus and she supported the committee removing the restrictions over the wearing of ribbons and rosettes on election day.

Labour’s Andrew Little agreed it was vital to proceed with electoral law changes in a considered and measured way.

Any changes should enhance participation and voting, he said.

The bill was supported by Labour except in one area – this was the removal of the expansion of use of the easy vote card

The bill completed its second reading by 113 to 7 with NZ First opposing.

MPs began the second reading of the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 3)

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