Flag Referendums Bill Passes

The New Zealand Flag Referendums Bill has completed its third reading.

The responsible minister Bill English said the bill would set up the two referendums on whether change New Zealand’s flag. The process of the flag consideration had been thorough and independent and Mr English said he had confidence in the process.

Mr English said he expected the debate to intensify and become more relevant. Much of the debate had been about the cost of the process and whether a referendum was necessary or not. “We are now heading out of those swirling political waters,” he said.

Labour’s Trevor Mallard said he opposed the process and believed it was not time to change the flag. Mr Mallard said he would be ranking highest the worst possible alternative flag and ranking lowest the best possible one as his protest against it.

The bill passed its third reading by 63 to 56 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in favour.

The House then rose.

Earlier the Appropriation (2015/16 Estimates) Bill completed its committee stage with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in favour.

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