Lianne

DALZIEL

Associate Justice Spokesperson

14 May 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT

Minister’s response to MMP review a travesty

Justice Minister Judith Collins’ refusal to introduce amendments to MMP in time for the 2014 election is a travesty of a process her government set in train, says Labour MP Lianne Dalziel.

“Before the last election John Key said that if the people voted to keep MMP, the system would be reviewed by the independent Electoral Commission.

“Well, New Zealanders did vote to keep MMP, it was reviewed and recommendations came out of that review. Now it is the government’s job to keep its word and act on them.

“I expect losing the support of the Act party by removing the single seat threshold is not a gamble they are prepared to take.

“New Zealanders needed to have confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. That’s why these changes need to be made in time for the 2014 election.

“Labour has already drafted a Bill to amend MMP, abolishing the ‘coat-tails clause’ and reducing the party vote threshold to 4%.

“This would stop deals being stitched up over cups of tea, and legislation being passed on wafer thin margins of support.

“It’s important that the Government keeps faith with the people and follows through on the democratic choices they have made. They voted for MMP. They asked for changes to be made. At the very least these two threshold changes must be passed before 2014,” Lianne Dalziel said.

ENDS

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