INDEPENDENT NEWS

Little’s false claims irresponsible

Published: Fri 14 Feb 2014 11:17 AM
Little’s false claims irresponsible
Claims the Government will scrap the EasyVote card are wrong and irresponsible, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.
Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little made a number of misleading assertions during the second reading of the Electoral Amendment Bill in Parliament last night.
“The Bill, as reported back by the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, makes no change to the EasyVote card for the 2014 general election,” Ms Collins says.
“When introduced, the Bill included a proposal from the Electoral Commission and recommended by the Justice and Electoral Committee in its report on the 2011 general election, to extend the current use of the EasyVote card.
“However after further consideration the Justice and Electoral Committee, which includes members of the National, Labour, Green and New Zealand First parties, voted unanimously against extending the use of the EasyVote card,” Ms Collins says.
“There was unanimous concern expressed from all parties that expanded use of the cards may lower the threshold for casting a vote, increasing the potential for fraud and harming the integrity of the voting process.”
Ms Collins says there was never any intention to remove the EasyVote card which is a very useful tool for voters and electoral staff.
“These sorts of disingenuous comments from Mr Little that incite doubt in the electoral system, particularly in an election year, are extremely irresponsible. Next time it would help if Mr Little actually read the Bill and talked to his colleagues before making false claims.”
ends

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media