MMP Review newsletter

Written By: - Date published: 3:46 pm, September 4th, 2012 - Comments Off on MMP Review newsletter
Categories: MMP - Tags:

We’re just days away from the end of public consultation on the MMP Review, and this week is your last chance make a submission on the Proposals Paper.
We’re received almost 700 submissions on the Proposals Paper already, and want to make sure that no-one misses out on the chance to have their say.
The Proposals Paper sets out the conclusions the Commission reached following the first round of public consultation earlier this year.
The proposals being suggested by the Electoral Commission are:

  • The one electorate seat threshold for the allocation of list seats should be abolished.
  • The party vote threshold for the allocation of list seats should be lowered to 4%.
  • Candidates should continue to be able to stand both in an electorate and on a party list at general elections.
  • List MPs should continue to be able to contest by-elections.
  • Political parties should continue to have responsibility for the composition and ranking of candidates on their party lists.
  • The provision for overhang seats should be abolished for parties that do not cross the party vote threshold.
  • On the basis of current information it would be prudent to identify 76 electorate seats (in a 120 seat Parliament) as the point at which the risk to proportionality from insufficient list seats becomes unacceptable. New Zealand is unlikely to reach that point before 2026.
  • The gradual erosion of lists seats relative to electorate seats risks undermining the diversity of representation in Parliament. Parliament should review this matter.

If you’re planning to make a submission, it must be received by 5pm this Friday, 7 September.
You can make your submission online, via email to mmpreview@elections.govt.nz, or by post to the Electoral Commission, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140
A final report will be presented to the Minister of Justice by 31 October.

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Bunji: Make sure you have your say on the things you agree with too: otherwise the National campaign against a lower threshold and removal of electorate seat threshold will see the weight of submissions against the changes…

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