New Zealand First

DIRECT DEMOCRACY

INTRODUCTION

Those who have the most to lose from political and democratic reform continue to occupy the positions of power. The introduction of a new electoral system (MMP) has not created any real institutional and attitudinal change. Political domination is still the basis of power-seeking by the old parties. Vested interests have worked to cripple the MMP process. There has been little change in political behaviour and the review of MMP was a sham.

Politicians have been consistently discredited by dishonoured promises, deliberate campaigns of policy deception, party politics taking precedence over public interest, the process of political appointments, and ministerial meddling. There have been unauthorised and inexplicable payouts to bureaucrats and political appointees. The attainment and retention of power and financial gain have superseded the concept of an impartial public service.

Important decisions with far reaching implications for the future of our country are rammed through parliament by a minority government with little reference to constituents and according to an unmandated agenda.

The move to MMP was not the end of political reform - it was the start. New Zealand First aims to make parliament itself a more responsive and accountable institution, and to give greater power to the community.

To achieve this aim, New Zealand First advocates:

GREATER USE OF PUBLIC REFERENDA

New Zealand First wants to form a practical partnership with the New Zealand people by the judicious use of direct public referenda where:

there is neutrality and impartiality in the question;
there is fair dissemination of all of the facts on both sides of the argument;
there is certainty in the poll (i.e. the question can be clearly understood);
there is appropriate time for debate to be conducted; and,
the referendum's objective is capable of being met within the country's fiscal constraints.

Consultation on major constitutional changes, on the ownership of assets, on important social policy, on significant economic strategies, and on New Zealand's relations with the world is fundamental to a healthy democracy.

'People power' by means of referenda should, where possible and practicable, replace MPs conscience votes.

Binding referenda will be triggered by petitions achieving support of 10% of the electorate. Both government and members' bills that have the support of parliament can, where stipulated, also trigger a binding referendum.

Referenda will be conducted either on the first Saturday of November each year or in conjunction with a general election.

Referenda qualifying before March 1 will be conducted in the following November to provide sufficient lead-in time.

A revamped Electoral Commission provided with greater resources will conduct up to four citizens initiated referenda, as well as any government or parliament designated referenda each year, and will also be responsible for ensuring that balanced dissemination of all of the facts on both sides of the argument occurs in timely fashion.

A successful referendum result will be achieved by simple majority and may only be vetoed by the vote of 75% of all Members of Parliament within one calendar month of the result being declared.

PLANS

New Zealand First will:

hold binding referenda on key issues;
in accordance with its 15 founding principles and to honour the result of the 1999 referendum, reduce the number of Members of Parliament to 99;
reduce cabinet and require greater accountability and performance; and,
ensure greater contestability of policy advice and require that social impact analysis accompany economic cost/benefit analysis in government decision-making processes.


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New Zealand First
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Phone: (04) 471 9292 Fax: (04) 472 8557
info@nzfirst.org.nz

Authorised by Doug Woolerton, 7 Chelsea Place, Chartwell, Hamilton