Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Time for a Four-Year Parliamentary Term
Attention New Zealand: it’s time for a four-year term. While it’s been in and out of the news all year, after extensive
research Maxim Institute has found sufficient evidence that New Zealand is finally ready for this kind of constitutional
change.
In a submission (see attached) to the Constitution Advisory Panel released today, Maxim Institute Researcher Kieran
Madden argues that a fixed four-year term strikes the right balance between effective government and governmental
accountability.
“Voters should have regular opportunities to tighten the reins on their elected representatives, but this must be
balanced with the need to allow governments sufficient time to carry out what they promised and respond to problems as
they arise,” says Mr Madden.
“With the changes to our constitutional landscape brought about by the move away from first past the post and the
powerful majority governments it tended to produce, it is now time to look seriously at shifting the balance to allow
more time for governments to govern well.”
“MMP has made enough of a difference to the way the powers of government are distributed and the legislative process
carried out that the time is now right for Kiwis to decide this question at a referendum,” says Kieran Madden.
ENDS
ends