Farrar right on electoral administration

Written By: - Date published: 11:12 am, October 23rd, 2009 - 6 comments
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I agree with David Farrar on the National Party’s proposed law combining the Electoral offices. These appointments are far too important to be decided by a Minister, who is only required to consult on the appointment. The Super-city showed us what little that means.

David is worried about Labour, I’m worried about National.They have made a lot of very political appointments in the past year.

I agree that the best idea is to make the office a parliamentary appointment. If it’s ok for the environment, and for the auditor-general, it is certainly ok for the conduct of elections, so crucial to democracy.

The main reason for haste seems to be that the Nats want it done before the 2011 election. They are using the abysmal performance of the Electoral Commission in 2008 and lack of co-ordination between the Commission and the Chief Electoral Office as an excuse. But the new albeit temporary Electoral Commissioner is the old Chief Electoral Officer, so that should not be a problem next time.

The legislation also provides for the Electoral Enrolment Centre to be incorporated into the office after 2012. It is absolutely critical that the electoral roll is not subject to any question of political interference.

It looks to be another case of indecent haste to legislate.That means more bad law.

6 comments on “Farrar right on electoral administration ”

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  1. David Farrar 1
    23 October 2009 at 11:20 am

    I’ll blog a link to select committee submissions when they open, and hope lots of people will submit.

    My approach is going to be to say the first preference is to make it an Officer of Parliament. If that is not possible, then at a minimum to requite the Minister to have the written consent of leaders representing 75% of the parties and 75% of the MPs in Parliament. There is no reason that can’t be written into the bill.

    • felix 1.1
      23 October 2009 at 11:30 am


      I’ll blog a link to select committee submissions when they open, and hope lots of people will submit.

      My approach is going to be to say the first preference is to make it an Officer of Parliament. If that is not possible, then at a minimum to requite the Minister to have the written consent of leaders representing 75% of the parties and 75% of the MPs in Parliament. There is no reason that can’t be written into the bill.

      Indeed.

  2. Steve Withers 2
    23 October 2009 at 11:52 am

    It would be interesting to see a list of which MPs spouses have received plum jobs on “independent” bodies via ministerial fiat.

    It would be interesting to see which former National party MPs have been given plum jobs without going through the selection process…..again by ministerial fiat.

    The Crony-crats are in the Beehive. BIG time.

  3. JD 3
    23 October 2009 at 7:11 pm

    “I’m worried about National.They have made a lot of very political appointments in the past year.”

    They’re just following the form set by their predecessors.

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