Parliamentary process Electoral Finance Act 2007

1 parliamentary process

1.1 introduction
1.2 bill of rights
1.3 first reading
1.4 select committee
1.5 second reading
1.6 committee of whole house
1.7 third reading

parliamentary process
introduction

the bill introduced on 23 july 2007 minister of justice mark burton, said @ introduction package of reforms introduced parliament promote participation in parliamentary democracy, , aims clean new zealand s electoral system , protect abuse.

bill of rights

under section 7 of new zealand bill of rights act 1990, attorney-general must advise parliament @ introduction of bill if bill inconsistent new zealand bill of rights act. crown law office, undertook review, concluded bill consistent bill of rights. national business review described crown law s opinion ...one of worst, politically expedient calls on new zealand human rights legislation in memory.

first reading

the bill passed first reading on 27 july 65 votes 54, labour, greens, nz first, united future , progressive voting in favour, , national party, māori party , independents gordon copeland , taito phillip field voting against. act did not vote. legislation sent justice , electoral committee consideration, agreement mps extend membership of committee consideration of bill include members parliamentary parties. committee s report on bill due 25 january 2008.

select committee

public submissions on bill closed on 7 september 2007. radio new zealand reported on 31 august government had indicated might write committee indicating intended make unspecified changes parts of legislation dealing third parties. have prevented committee hearing criticism of existing provisions , allow government introduce changes during committee of whole house without public being able make submissions on new provisions. prime minister helen clark denied this.

investigative journalist nicky hager, author of hollow men, submitted in favour of need changes new zealand electoral law. new zealand law society, , new zealand human rights commission submitted against bill.

the select committee reported bill house of representatives on 18 november 2007, , recommended bill proceed.

annette king, became minister of justice following cabinet reshuffle on 31 october 2007, announced number of changes bill.

these changes included:

increasing cap on total third party spending $60,000 $120,000;
increasing cap on election advertising before have register under new law $5,000 $12,000;
changing definition of election advertising;
increasing corruption penalties $100,000 fine.

second reading

the bill put second reading vote on 22 november 2007. passed 65 votes 54, labour, new zealand first, greens, united future, , progressive party supporting it. national, act, māori party, , independents gordon copeland , taito phillip field voted against it, māori party voting 2 of 4 votes in favour.

committee of whole house

the committee of whole house stage began on 3 december 2007.

third reading

the bill passed third reading on 18 december 2007 63 votes 57, national party, maori party, act, united future , independent mp taito phillip field voting against , labour, greens, new zealand first , progressive voting for. independent mp gordon copeland did not vote.