Bill English MP
National Party Deputy Leader

27 September 2007

Law society exposes affront to democracy

National Party Deputy Leader Bill English says all New Zealanders should listen to the strong Law Society criticism of Labour's Electoral Finance Bill.

"This is a brave and unusual step for the Society representing almost all lawyers."

The Law Society points out they felt they should depart from a longstanding convention of constructive criticism to declare Labours Election Finance Bill should be dumped

"If the lawyers can't understand this law how will anyone else?"

The Society says the bill is complex and vague, and made it dangerous for anyone to participate in elections for fear of unknowingly breaking the law.

"The Greens and NZ First have traditions of free speech. They should tell Labour to listen to the blanket opposition to this anti-democratic bill and abandon it."

Mr English says given Helen Clark has already said almost every aspect of the bill has to change, including the regulated period and the rules around spending caps and third parties.

"And what's worrying about that, is that quite a different bill could emerge from the select committee process and the public will not have any chance to comment on what might be a very different set of proposals.

"National has said from the very beginning that Labour should have consulted all parties. Helen Clark ticked off this bill so must now tell the public whether she plans to offer the opportunity for further public comment before it's pushed through Parliament on a slim majority."

Mr English says he agrees with the law society that the bill should be withdrawn.

"It is fundamentally flawed. Patch-ups won't work, because Labour has drafted this in its own self interest. Helen Clark talks about protecting democracy, now the Law Society says this is actually an attack on democracy.

"Ms Clark should cut her losses, pull the bill now and embark on a proper process."

ENDS

© Scoop Media