MMP Referendum needs spending caps

It is only fair to have spending caps for campaigning in the MMP referendum, said the Green Party today.

“Campaign spending limits are needed to ensure that the MMP referendum is a battle of ideas not a battle of money,” said Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-Leader.

The Government announced the introduction of legislation for the MMP referendum today. There will be no limits on how much campaigners can spend.

“We are looking forward to the debate on MMP and are confident that New Zealanders will vote to retain a fair system where every vote counts.

“It is vital that big money is not allowed to buy a return to a less democratic form of Government that suits big business.

“New Zealanders are rightly suspicious of the special interest groups that are campaigning to return us to the 80s.

“MMP is a fair for everyone. It is only right that any process to change New Zealand’s democracy is also fair,” said Mrs Turei.

The wording of the referendum questions was also announced today.

Mrs Turei was concerned that the referendum questions have not been developed by an independent body such as the Electoral Commission.

“Referendum questions to decide the future of democracy in New Zealand should not be run by politicians who have a vested interest in the process,” Mrs Turei said.

Further information available at

Campaign for MMP - http://www.campaignformmp.org.nz/wordpress/

Green Party press releases

MMP fair for everyone, http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/mmp-fair-everyone

MMP referendum process a good start, http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/mmp-referendum-process-good-start

ENDS

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