Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Democracy denied by Labour Government


Democracy denied by Labour Government

National’s accusing the Government of denying New Zealanders their right to choose, after Labour MP’s decided to oppose the Electoral Options Referenda Bill at its first reading last night.

“The people of New Zealand always expected to have another say on the electoral system but this Government is determined their voices will not be heard,” says National’s Rangitikei MP Simon Power.

The bill provides for the holding of two referenda on the electoral system and it’s essentially the same process used when MMP was adopted in 1992/93.

The first referendum has two parts.

The first part is whether electors wish to retain the current system of Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) or want to change the electoral system.

The second part asks all electors which alternative they prefer.

“Of course the Greens are siding with their former Labour buddies and voting against the idea, it’s in their best interests to do so.

“But that’s particularly surprising when they’re actively campaigning to change the way Local Government is elected,” says Mr Power.

“National was the party that helped bring the current system into being, it’s had three terms to mature and now voters should be allowed the chance to say whether it’s right for us.”

Mr Power has been representing a Private Members Bill lodged by New Zealand’s first woman Prime Minister, National’s Jenny Shipley, in May 2001.

“If this Labour Government is serious about listening, then perhaps it’s time to give New Zealanders the chance to have their voices heard, instead of shying away from real democratic processes.

“They should let the people - not politicians - choose the voting system,” says Mr Power.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Gordon Campbell: On The New Government’s Policies Of Yesteryear

Winston Peters is routinely described as the kingmaker who decides whether the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded, but equally important role as the scapegoat who can be blamed for killing taxes that his senior partners never much wanted in the first place. Neither Ardern nor Robertson for example, really wanted a capital gains tax, for fear of Labour copping the “tax and spend“ label they ended up being saddled with anyway. Usefully though, they could tell the party faithful it was wicked old Winston who killed the CGT. More

Government: National, ACT, & NZ First To Deliver For All Kiwis

The new coalition government of National, ACT, & NZ First will be stable, effective, and will deliver for all Kiwis. "Despite the challenging economic environment, New Zealanders can look forward to a better future because of the changes the new Government will make ... We believe in this country. We are ambitious for it. We know that, with the right leadership, the right policies and the right direction, together New Zealanders can make this an even better country," says incoming PM Christopher Luxon... More

ALSO:


 
 
Labour Party: Call For Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza

The Labour Party has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza & Israel to halt the appalling attacks and violence so that a journey to a lasting peace can begin. “Along with other New Zealanders we are appalled by the devastation and loss of life. We recognise the grief of communities in New Zealand who have connections with those in the conflict,” says Chris Hipkins. More

PSA: MFAT Must Reverse Decision To Remove Te Reo

MFAT's decision to remove te reo from correspondence before new Ministers are sworn in risks undermining the important progress the public sector has made in honouring te Tiriti. "We are very disappointed in what is a backward decision - it simply seems to be a Ministry bowing to the racist rhetoric we heard on the election campaign trail," says Marcia Puru. More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.