The Alliance supports MMP.  However we would like to see the threshold significantly  lower than 5%.  It is difficult for smaller parties and new parties to build support because people feel they are wasting their vote if it doesn't look like they will gain 5%. If parliament  is to be truly representative of all New Zealanders it is important that a wide range of views are represented in the house.

Comment on the MMP (electoral systems) referendum to be held this election 26-Nov-2011:

Why New Zealanders rejected First Past the Post (FPP)?

The situation arose in New Zealand (1978 and 1981) under FPP where majority governments were formed by the party (National) that received a lesser number of votes. This was obviously unfair and offensive to those looking for a fair outcome. New Zealanders called for a change to the system so that government was a fairer reflection of the wishes of the voters. MMP was the recommended proportional system and was in fact the system we selected by referendum vote.

I personally do not believe New Zealanders will give up a proportional voting system which, despite poor implementation by Government, has at least yielded fair results. The governing party has consistently been the party with the most support on Election Day, and governments formed have proven stable.

Why our system is not as good as it could be?

1. Royal Commission Recommendations Ignored

Unfortunately the Government did not introduce MMP the way it was recommended. The recommendation was that there should no longer be separate Maori seats, and also that the threshold would be 4% (or perhaps lower to allow minority representation). Had MMP been implemented along the lines recommended by the Royal Commission we would have seen better outcomes.

2. Party Politics

Even under FPP there were decisions made based on party lines not on the desire of the majority within an electorate. This trend has continued and the higher than recommended threshold (5%), and arrangements of mutual convenience (National allowing ACT and United Future to win electorate seats for example), have allowed the continuance of a largely 2 party system.

3. Ignoring the People

Finally the people have been directly ignored. When over 81% of voters demanded a reduction of Members of Parliament the government refused to action this. Additionally the law and order referendum and the anti-smacking referendum have shown governments contempt for the people’s voice. This discourages active participation in the New Zealand democracy and entrenches cynicism toward elected representatives.

Summary: How the system could be better? Reduction to 99 MP’s. No more Maori seats. All New Zealanders vote as one people on one roll. The threshold being lowered (4% possibly lower). Citizens Referenda to be binding if two-thirds votes support the proposal.

Of the examples given, we have expressly said that we think that numbers 1 and 4 should be part of the review, along with a consideration of the evidence around the voting age. Other issues to be considered will be in the discretion of the Electoral Commission

Tena koe e Tommy,

The Maori Party supports MMP and are confident that our voters feel the same.

Kia ora!