The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s latest step toward electoral reform, which begins to fulfil an important part of the Co-operation Agreement between the two parties.

“It is important that the latest review should not stand in the way of necessary reforms that have already been recommended by independent bodies such as the Electoral Commission, Waitangi Tribunal and Justice Committee, including after extensive public consultation. Many such reforms are reflected in my Strengthening Democracy Bill, which was pulled from the ballot last week and will be debated in Parliament soon,” says Golriz Ghahraman, Green Party spokesperson for electoral reform.

“政府的审查表明，他们愿意加强我们在Aotearoa中的民主，而新的独立小组适合考虑新问题。同时，我欢迎工党对我的绿党成员的法案的支持，即将进入选拔委员会，在那里，公众将有机会向议会的所有政党表达自己的声音。

“The Government’s review should focus on the many areas of potential electoral reform in the terms of reference that have not already been subject to an in-depth inquiry.

“The public deserves to know that when inquiries into important issues such as our MMP system happen, like the Electoral Commission’s 2012 Review, that the resulting recommendation will be implemented.

“My Bill is the perfect opportunity for the Government to show its commitment to up-holding the findings of past inquiries, while at the same time reviewing parts of electoral law that have not been subject to previous examination.

“Aotearoa’s democracy is too precious to leave to politicised delays.”

ENDS