16 March 2006
Maxim Institute - real issues - No 196
Is Downsizing Parliament Good For Democracy
Volunteers - The Glue Of Civil Society
Letting Employers Take Risks
In The News: The Commonwealth Message
Is Downsizing Parliament Good For Democracy
This week Parliament approved the Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of Parliament) Amendment Bill at its first
reading, by 61 votes to 60. If passed, the Private Member's Bill, sponsored by Barbara Stewart of New Zealand First,
would reduce the number of MPs in the House from the current 121, to 100.
Many people intuitively believe that reducing the size of Parliament would translate into a reduction in the overall
size of government bureaucracy, but this is unlikely. The real issue is whether reducing the size of Parliament under
MMP would be good for democracy.
Significantly reducing the number of MPs would weaken the oversight which Select Committees provide as part of the
democratic process, since fewer MPs would be available to sit on Select Committees and scrutinise legislation. Under
MMP, much of the business of government is conducted behind the scenes with Select Committees playing a significant
role. This is particularly important since New Zealand's Parliament is unicameral; there is only one House, unlike
Britain, which has two Houses of Parliament. In Britain, the upper House will often slow down or reject proposed
legislation, providing a valuable check on the power of the lower House. In New Zealand, Select Committees perform much
of this function.
Downsizing Parliament will not necessarily improve the quality or efficiency of government as the same amount of work
will remain to be done by fewer MPs. The Bill will do nothing to improve the efficiency of the state bureaucracy which
carries out the directives of Parliament. In fact, the Bill might actually harm the democratic process.
The Bill has been referred to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee for discussion and feedback from the public. A
closing date for public submissions has not yet been set. To read the Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of
Parliament) Amendment Bill, visit: http://www.brookers.co.nz/bills/new_bills/b060231.pdf (To view .PDF's download Adobe
Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
Volunteers - The Glue Of Civil Society
It is difficult to measure just how much volunteers contribute to making our communities, our families and our nation, a
more personal, connected and kind place. This week is Volunteer Awareness week, and though their contributions are
beyond price, it is worth remembering just how much we rely on the voluntary actions of our neighbours and communities.
Consider that as at 6 March, 1,474 lives were saved by Surf Lifesavers in the 2005/06 year. Thousands of volunteer
fire-fighters put themselves in harm's way for their communities, plugging the gaps in rural and isolated areas.
Over 3,400 young people benefit from the youth programmes of the Order of St. John, learning values, respect and
practical skills. Staffed by a combination of volunteers and paid staff, the Order also runs an ambulance service, first
aid courses and safe kids programmes.
Predator-free islands, which are vital to maintaining New Zealand's biodiversity, are maintained for our grandchildren
by the NZ Conservation Trust. A 75 year old homeless man is given a blanket, a hot drink, bedding, and a warm touch from
Drug Arm. Thousands of kids, from Small Blacks to future All Blacks, are taught the love of our national game by
volunteer rugby coaches. Parents too give time to schools, scout and church groups, social clubs, sports and service
clubs. Thousands of people all muck in to lend a hand.
Volunteers connect individuals and families in a way that government never can. Without them – without civil society –
New Zealand would be poorer, colder and less human.
To find out more about volunteering in your region, visit: http://www.volunteernow.org.nz/home.html
Letting Employers Take Risks
A Private Member's Bill to establish a 90-day probation period for new employees has passed its first reading and will
now be considered by the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee. The Employment Relations (Probationary
Employment) Amendment Bill is sponsored by National MP Dr Wayne Mapp and was supported by National, New Zealand First,
Act, United Future and three of the four Maori Party MPs.
According to the Bill's Explanatory Note, its purpose is to "enable employers to take a chance with new employees,
without facing the risk of expensive and protracted personal grievance procedures." At the moment, this risk may
dissuade many employers from taking a chance with new employees, or employing people with limited work experience.
Probationary periods for new employees exist in most OECD countries and Dr Mapp hopes that the introduction of
probationary periods in New Zealand will help more people find jobs, and promote greater competitiveness and
productivity in the economy.
Written submissions on the Bill will now be called for and the Select Committee will consider these submissions before
reporting back to Parliament.
To read the Bill, visit: http://www.brookers.co.nz/bills/new_bills/b060241.pdf
In The News: The Commonwealth Message
This has been a big week for the Commonwealth. On Monday, prior to the extravagant opening of the 18th Commonwealth
Games on Wednesday night, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivered the Commonwealth Day message for 2006. Her message
highlighted the importance of health as a source of wellbeing and placed responsibility for tackling disease with
governments, organisations of civil society and individuals.
To read the Queen's speech, visit: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page5098.asp
Talking Point
The Waitemata District Health Board will now pay for women seeking an abortion between 18-21 weeks of pregnancy, to have
the procedure done in Sydney. This is because none of its staff are prepared to carry out the procedure at such a late
date, when the basis for it, is that continuation of the pregnancy may threaten the mother's mental health. The District
Health Board is prepared to pay the $1,800 fee for an operation because it believes it is obliged by law to do so, but
the women will need to pay for their own airfares.
Under the New Zealand Medical Association's code of ethics, doctors have the right, except in emergency situations, to
refuse to perform certain procedures. Commenting on this fact in the New Zealand Herald (11 March 2006), Christchurch
abortion doctor Pippa Mackay affirmed doctors' rights to refuse to perform procedures on moral grounds, but also said:
"If it's morally all right [to carry out an abortion] when the pregnancy's earlier, then morally it's all right when
it's later."
ENDS