Dunne challenges Nats to give public say on next Governor-General

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne is disappointed National will not back a Member’s Bill to allow New Zealanders to have their say on whether we should move to an elected Head of State.

“There is an inconsistency bordering on full-blown Nanny Statism in this decision.

“National seems quite happy to let people have their say on the electoral system – although even then it is reserving the right to itself to change the MMP system in the future, even if people vote to retain it – and to do deals with the Maori Party to retain the Maori seats, under the guise of constitutional reform, but will not give New Zealanders a say on the most basic constitutional issue of all – how our Head of State is chosen,” he said.

Mr Dunne said National’s decision is doubly disappointing given a new Governor-General has to be chosen next year.

“Is this important choice going to be simply a political decision as usual, or will the Government let New Zealanders express their views on this important appointment?

“Given the next Governor-General could well be our last, the selection process is even more important than usual.

“However, National’s decision to oppose the Head of State Referendum Bill suggests it has no real interest in letting the public have more involvement in the appointment of the Governor-General,” he said.

ENDS

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