Democracy has declined since " a red letter" day in 1893

The Kiwi Party
Press Release
19 September 2011

"When the Governor, Lord Glasgow, signed the Electoral Act into law on September 19, 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. That was a huge step forward for democracy and for women in our nation", said Simonne Dyer deputy leader of the Kiwi Party.

"I am proud of New Zealand for that radical step forward", continued Dyer, "especially as it was taken in the face of loud and sustained objections from certain segments of parliament and the general public, but was has happened to sully our democracy since then?

"One hundred years later In 1993 parliament passed the Citizens Initiated Referenda legislation which was intended to give democracy a boost by enabling citizens to express their will to parliament through petitions on the topics they had gained significant support for through thousands of signatures from the general public. On the 10 March 1992 the Hon Murray McCully said in his speech on the first reading of the Citizens Initiated Referenda Bill that the new Act would “profoundly change the way in which we conduct our democracy in this country.” "Well we all know what has happened since that bill was passed - several successful referenda all expressing the will of the people have been held and not a single one has found its way into legislation. Where is the intended increase in our democratic processes?

"Democracy has declined in New Zealand". concluded Dyer. "Perhaps it is time for the nation's women to take up the cause again!"

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