Chair Andrew Bayly confirmed the committee is considering possible dates, noting strong cross-party support to let the public decide.
The proposal, initially championed by ACT leader David Seymour, would require significant investment, with the Government already setting aside $25 million to fund the referendum. However, ACT insists its backing is “conditional on stronger checks and balances”, including expanded powers for opposition parties in select committees.
Despite the political consensus, some public sentiment remains sceptical of the move. Critics argue longer terms would erode democratic accountability in a system without an upper house, where voters can only exercise control at the ballot box. Others say trust in government has collapsed under successive administrations, leaving little appetite for granting politicians an extra year in office.
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Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
Despite the political consensus, some public sentiment remains sceptical of the move. Critics argue longer terms would erode democratic accountability in a system without an upper house, where voters can only exercise control at the ballot box. Others say trust in government has collapsed under successive administrations, leaving little appetite for granting politicians an extra year in office.
Click to view
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
17 comments:
I would want the introduction of citizens initiated binding referendum like in Switzerland.
quote-'A referendum on extending New Zealand’s parliamentary term from three years to four now looks almost certain, following near-unanimous agreement from the Justice Select Committee.'
Binding? I seem to recall a referendum some years ago to reduce the number of 'seat polishers', something like 82% wanted fewer and it was disregarded-'oh, it wasn't a binding referendum, back to your saveloys'.
Get rid of maori seats, get rid of list seats and why give them another year?
How totally out of touch our politicians are. As in Britain they ignore the wishes of the people who elected them and then expect to get a bonus fourth year in government. Fulfil the promises you made when seeking re-election then the people might consider your request of an extended term. Solve the myriad of issues facing a once, prosperous, great little country.
Watching a video of a retired colonel in Britain(who liaised with the government) speaking about their present issues, he said: "The PM and politicians know the problems, they just don't know how to fix them, they just want to get through their term of government reasonably unscathed". I believe that is the same here. A resounding no from a referendum I suspect.
Explain the issues / problems with 4 years.
'Strong cross party support to let the public decide'.
This is the wrong way around.
This is about politicians pushing their own interests. It should be a case of public first. If their is dissatisfaction with a three year term I'm sure the 'public' would be saying so.
What is apparent is the dissatisfaction with MMP. It is a disaster and we need to go back to FPP and put the heat on MP's to represent us, the public.
Four years of Labour - TMP - Greens, imagine that.
It is hard enough fixing three years of cock ups.
Imagine, imagine.
No surprise - 4 years ( not 3) paid to deliver no real results. Best jobs this lot can ever hope for - way beyond their capacity.
Memory is short : Ardern/Labour would have destroyed NZ.
Outrageous!
If doing one referendum, make it a trifecta, add in Maori Wards abolishment and reinstate the Treaty Principles Bill questions.
So, the squishy little marshmallows presently infesting our trust-free parliament want another trouble-free year to cause even more damage before we kick them out. Dream on weasels.
How about a one year term?? Politicians would then really have to get off their a…s and get things done or, perhaps, do nothing except campaign for the next election!
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has been awarded the Order of Merit, Third Class by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, charitable efforts, and advocacy on the global stage.
https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/news/zelensky-honours-seymour/
(Can’t wait to see what Netanyahu will award him for his support of Israel).
The ACT party recommends that their End-of-Life Choice Amendment Bill bypass the ballot and be sent immediately to a select committee. The MP Todd Stephenson has written to all MPs requesting that they support his Bill bypassing the ballot, and being sent straight to a select committee; he requires the support of 61 MPs for his Bill to be sent to a select committee.
This redrafted Bill includes 25 recommendations from the Ministry of Health’s official 3-year review of the End-of-Life Choice Act. This Bill recognises that it is cheaper to kill patients than to care for them, and that we have a “right to choose” to be murdered by a doctor with a lethal injection.
https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/opinion/oppose-act-bill-to-empower-doctors-to-kill-more-patients/
And Seymour of the pro-Euthanasia party and who receives awards for his work on behalf of foreign countries, wants to push us into a 4-year parliamentary term? How about NO.
Make it 5, add in reinforcing the name of the Counrty as New Zealand and ditch Maori Seats in Parliament
I don’t care how many politicians like it, I’ll still vote against it. It’s a really bad idea.
I might support this if, as a required condition, maori wards and the maori roll were disestablished
... and if you lived in a normal, democratic country run by serious and trustworthy MPs. Not the case.
Ardern did a superb job of ruining NZ.
You gotta be dreamin'!
FPP worked for previous generations when the majority of MPs had some integrity and mostly put the nations interests first. But as JA and her merry band showed, that is no longer the case. MMp could work better if we didn't have all the rabble rousers in the fringe parties. A good idea would be for all parties show who they have for list MPs so people can base their party vote on who who is likely to warm the party benches
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