10 March 2006

Reduction In MPs Bill To Be Debated Wednesday

New Zealand First MP Barbara Stewart’s Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of Parliament) Amendment Bill which seeks to reduce the number of MPs from 120 to 100 is to have its first reading on Members Day next Wednesday.

Mrs Stewart has written to all Members of Parliament seeking their support for the Bill which seeks to honour the intent of the 1999 referendum in which 81.5% of the electorate, or 1.7 million New Zealanders, voted to reduce the number of MPs to 99.

“New Zealand First believes that Parliament should be a more responsive and accountable institution, and should aim to give real power to the people,” said Mrs Stewart.

“The result of the 1999 referendum was ignored and we now have a chance to have the issue debated.

In the 2001 Report of the MMP Review Committee the National, United, and ACT parties supported a reduction to 99 Members of Parliament.

“It will be most interesting to find out whether those parties have changed their stance on this issue,” said Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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