Q+A: Justice Minister Andrew Little interviewed by Corin Dann
Cannabis, Euthanasia and MMP reform may be the subject of referendum votes this term and possibly all at the same time.
Justice Minister Andrew Little has confirmed that the government is considering holding referendums on Cannabis Law
Reform, Euthanasia and MMP electoral reform, all at the same time.
The government is already committed to holding a referendum on Cannabis reform this term as part of its support deal
with the Greens.
Andrew little told Q+A he’s looking at whether it makes sense to also hold referendums on Euthanasia and Electoral
Reform, at the same time.
New Zealand First has signalled it may support a Bill currently before parliament on Euthanasia Reform if it included a
referendum on the issue.
A vote on possible changes to MMP is likely to involve decisions on whether to lower the 5 percent threshold needed to
enter parliament to 4 percent and whether to do away with the coat tailing provisions.
Coat tailing allows parties who win an electorate seat the ability to bring in extra MPs, despite not reaching the 5
percent threshold.
The Electoral Commission recommended going to 4 percent and scrapping coat tailing back in 2012, however the last
government choose not to make any changes.
Andrew Little insists no final decisions have been made on going with a three vote option or whether to hold it before
or at the next election in 2020.
However he says Cabinet is likely to make a decision on the details of the Cannabis Referendum and whether it would be
binding or not, before Christmas.
You can watch the full interview here.
Q+A, 9:30pm Sundays on TVNZ 1 and one hour later on TVNZ 1 + 1.
Streamed live at www.tvnz.co.nz
Thanks to the support from NZ On Air.
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