26 May 2009
Media release

National’s shoddy approach to democracy continues

National is continuing to ride roughshod over democratic processes by refusing to allow Labour to put a fourth non-voting member on the Super City select committee, says Labour’s Shadow Leader of the House Darren Hughes.

“National’s unprecedented step has resulted in a stand-off on the business committee, which signs off select committee membership, and Labour will be pursuing the issue with the Speaker.

“Labour has already labelled National’s decision to appoint Associate Local Government Minister John Carter the chairman of the select committee an abuse of process, because of his instrumental role in developing the legislation.

“We have also been concerned that despite holding over a third of the seats in Parliament, we will have only three members on the 11-strong committee,” says Darren Hughes.

“Rather than seeking to increase our voting membership, which would have been a valid course, I sought a compromise with Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee yesterday requesting the Government’s support for a fourth non-voting member.

“It is practically unheard of to decline permission for an additional non-voting member on a select committee, especially one focusing on important legislation such as the reform of Auckland governance.

“Naturally we have many interested Auckland MPs whose communities have made it clear they want them to be involved in the process,” says Darren Hughes.

“Mr Brownlee’s churlish decision to refuse permission is yet another example of the contemptuous approach this Government is taking to the proper and democratic processes which should underpin the management of this Parliament.

“The ramming through of legislation under urgency, without select committee scrutiny, is another example. This not only occurred with the legislation setting up the Transition Agency for the new Auckland Council.

“Of the National Bills which have been passed into law since the election, only one has been through a select committee process and therefore subject to some type of public consultation. One Bill in six months is hardly a sign of a Government that is listening.

“Labour will continue to pursue this matter about membership of the select committee which has already been compromised by John Carter’s chairmanship.”

ENDS

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