People will be able to have their say on whether or not they want to retain the mixed member proportional (MMP) voting system at next year's general election.The Electoral Referendum Bill was reported back from select committee today and was likely to pas
People will be able to have their say on whether or not they want to retain the mixed member proportional (MMP) voting system at next year's general election.
The Electoral Referendum Bill was reported back from select committee today and was likely to pass with no party registering their opposition.
The bill allows for a referendum to be held asking voters whether they wish to retain MMP and what alternative they would prefer.
The referendum would be held alongside the general election next year and fulfils one of National's pre-election promises.
If the majority of voters opt for change, a second referendum would be held in 2014 asking people to choose between MMP and the most preferred alternative.
Justice Minister Simon Power said the Government did not have a pre-determined view on the outcome of the referendum.
"It simply wants to give voters the opportunity to assess how MMP is working after five elections."
The bill includes an expenditure limit of $300,000 for promoters of referendum advertising during the lead up to election day.
It also provides for a review of MMP if at least 50 percent of voters opt to retain it.
The electoral legislation select committee also reported back on the Electoral (Finance Reform And Advance Voting) Amendment Bill today.
With most parties supporting the bill new electoral finance law should be in place by the general election next year.
The Green Party said it opposed increasing the threshold for the disclosure of donations by parties and candidates to as it allowed politicians to hide the source of their funding.
The ACT Party said it supported the increase in expenditure limits but had some concerns, including about the restriction on third party spending.
"A limit of $300,000 seriously restricts New Zealanders' right to free speech during an election campaign when the major parties and their candidates will be allowed to spend in excess of $5 million," ACT said in its minority report.
The bill increases the disclosure amount for candidate donations and the prohibitions on overseas and anonymous donations from $1000 to $1500. It increases the disclosure threshold for party donations from $10,000 to $15,000.
It redefined election advertisements to clarify the proposed exemption for editorial information and personal views published on the internet, and clarified the regulation campaign period to approximately three months from polling day.
Mr Power said he was pleased cross-party talks on the bill had been successful as it meant the new laws could be in place for next year's election.
