Kill the Bill

[Finn]

The Free Speech Coalition, set up to campaign against the Electoral Finance Bill, is sad that MPs from Labour, NZ First, and the Greens have ignored the massive public sentiment against the bill.

The Act discourages individuals and groups from participating in the electoral process and spending their own money, while at the same time allows MPs and parliamentary parties to far more easily use taxpayer funds on their election campaigns and not even have it count towards their spending limits. It is the ultimate act in hypocrisy.

The MPs have

• Ignored the Law Society’s advice that the Bill should be scrapped
• Ignored the Human Rights Commission opposition to the regulated period, and their request to allow the public to submit on the amended Bill
• Ignored the NZ Institute of Charted Accountant’s advice that the Bill is unworkable
• Ignored the Electoral Commission’s advice on spending limits
• Failed to provide legislative certainty around the exemptions for MPs
• Protected anonymous donations with massive loopholes which may result in less, not more, disclosure
• Continually misrepresented key clauses of the Bill

“New Zealand has no written constitution. At the end of the day 61 MPs in Parliament can pass any law they like, no matter how repugnant. Previously constitutional conventions have protected Acts like the Electoral Act, but the passage of the Electoral Finance Bill sees the demise of that convention.” said spokesperson David Farrar.

“We hoped the parties supporting this Bill would listen to the near universal opposition from the media, from the legal profession, and from the public and do the right thing. Sadly they have chosen not to.

“We do not believe there should be no consequences for those parties which passed the Electoral Finance Act into law. The NZ Herald correctly labeled it as an “Attack on Democracy” and we believe it is time for Democracy to attack back.

“The Free Speech Coalition will commence an advertising campaign tomorrow against parties and MPs which voted for the Electoral Finance Act. This campaign will continue into 2008. A media advisory with details of the campaign will be released tomorrow."

[Skyryder]

Of course he has a good handle on hypocracy, he's the guy whom introduced the party hopping law then hops party and avoids his own law, introduced to defeat the like of himself.
Good on ya IIIryder, Jim's good solid example.

Like most things written here with a political flavour this one has the wrong ingrediants. The party hopping legislation was passed under MMP. If memory serves me correctly Anderton left Labour under FPP and formed New Labour. He retained his electorat seat the following election. The Progressives launched themselves after the debacle of the Alliance and now Anderton is the only elected MP from that alliance. Not too sure if your criticism is really valid if looked at from an unbiased view.

Skyryder

[oldrider]

Not too sure if your criticism is really valid if looked at from an unbiased view.

Skyryder

Pot calling the kettle black.................surely not! John.

[The Stranger:Me]

Like most things written here with a political flavour this one has the wrong ingrediants. The party hopping legislation was passed under MMP. If memory serves me correctly Anderton left Labour under FPP and formed New Labour. He retained his electorat seat the following election. The Progressives launched themselves after the debacle of the Alliance and now Anderton is the only elected MP from that alliance. Not too sure if your criticism is really valid if looked at from an unbiased view.

Skyryder

Your memory fails you.

Oh and do you honestly think you could actually look at it from an unbiased view?

[emaN]

Still can't believe they've had the audacity to insult me/us in this way.

Finn, i saw that too - am glad you found it and posted it here.
Look forward to the FSC's campaign.

[Hitcher]

So how long will it be until somebody gets arrested for breaching this new legislation? And will the public be allowed to know?

[Grahameeboy]

So how long will it be until somebody gets arrested for breaching this new legislation? And will the public be allowed to know?

Mmmm.....probably about as many people who have been arrested following the Anti-smacking Bill................"Not a lot"

[Hitcher]

Mmmm.....probably about as many people who have been arrested following the Anti-smacking Bill................"Not a lot"

But the anti-smacking bill isn't based on a desire to suppress the public expression of "political" sentiment.

How long will it be before our government follows the lead of the enlightened US of A and legalises waterboarding? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding

[Usarka]

I'm conceptually opposed to the Maori party, a party based on race. But every now and then one of there members says something which rings of logic and sense and I can't help but be impressed.....

NZ Herald Blog: Best of the Electoral Finance Bill awards

The Maori Party will not be a party to a bill which is clearly aimed at restricting freedom of speech.

We will not be party to this desperate attempt by Labour to stay in power at the expense of the fundamental human rights of the citizens of this country.

We will not be party to a bill designed to put fear into those who would speak their mind, by forcing them to run the gauntlet of registration, audit, notification, financial agency, monitoring, reporting, scrutiny and penalty.

And we will not be a party to a bill that slams the door on opposition spending, while allowing Government to continue to spend millions on its own policies and programmes.

The Maori Party was borne out of Maoridom's absolute rejection of the Labour Government's arrogant denial of our basic human rights to the foreshore and seabed.

And we will reject this bill to rewrite the law to allow that same Government to stay in power - with the same vigour and determination.

Money is not what drives people to vote, it is truth.

I sincerely hope and pray that those who have sacrificed the truth for the delusion of power that overwhelms this decadent and depraved piece of legislation will come to see the folly of their ways when the people reject this sham, come Election 2008.

[Grahameeboy]

But the anti-smacking bill isn't based on a desire to suppress the public expression of "political" sentiment.

How long will it be before our government follows the lead of the enlightened US of A and legalises waterboarding? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding

True, but there was public uproar over the 'moral' sentiment and how it was suppressing us blah blah....not a huge difference...

Now where is my Paranoia thread?

Sorry I am being flippant, however, what is the worse that will happen. In reality how many people will it suppress..........not a lot as Kenny Everett used to say

[Hitcher]

what is the worse that will happen.

Well, apart from the Bloody Labour Government getting re-elected "unopposed", the principle of freedom of expression that some of our ancestors spilled blood to win surely must be worth something?

[Usarka]

the principle of freedom of expression that some of our ancestors spilled blood to win surely must be worth something?

People are forgetting already.

Lest we forget.

[Grahameeboy]

Well, apart from the Bloody Labour Government getting re-elected "unopposed", the principle of freedom of expression that some of our ancestors spilled blood to win surely must be worth something?

You mean Maori blood as well? Those ancestors who invaded a land and installed their rules..........not a lot has changed then...........just the only thing that is spilt these days is tears...........sorry I meant beers...

If having your say about politics is freedom of expression then that is shame...lot more important things to express about....but like I indicated the Law will only affect the few....but if as it seems the majority think it takes away their freedom then I would question who has removed that freedom, the Govt or those majority.....??

[Skyryder]

The Free Speech Coalition, set up to campaign against the Electoral Finance Bill, is sad that MPs from Labour, NZ First, and the Greens have ignored the massive public sentiment against the bill.

The Act discourages individuals and groups from participating in the electoral process and spending their own money, while at the same time allows MPs and parliamentary parties to far more easily use taxpayer funds on their election campaigns and not even have it count towards their spending limits. It is the ultimate act in hypocrisy.

The MPs have

• Ignored the Law Society’s advice that the Bill should be scrapped
• Ignored the Human Rights Commission opposition to the regulated period, and their request to allow the public to submit on the amended Bill
• Ignored the NZ Institute of Charted Accountant’s advice that the Bill is unworkable
• Ignored the Electoral Commission’s advice on spending limits
• Failed to provide legislative certainty around the exemptions for MPs
• Protected anonymous donations with massive loopholes which may result in less, not more, disclosure
• Continually misrepresented key clauses of the Bill

“New Zealand has no written constitution. At the end of the day 61 MPs in Parliament can pass any law they like, no matter how repugnant. Previously constitutional conventions have protected Acts like the Electoral Act, but the passage of the Electoral Finance Bill sees the demise of that convention.” said spokesperson David Farrar.

“We hoped the parties supporting this Bill would listen to the near universal opposition from the media, from the legal profession, and from the public and do the right thing. Sadly they have chosen not to.

“We do not believe there should be no consequences for those parties which passed the Electoral Finance Act into law. The NZ Herald correctly labeled it as an “Attack on Democracy” and we believe it is time for Democracy to attack back.

“The Free Speech Coalition will commence an advertising campaign tomorrow against parties and MPs which voted for the Electoral Finance Act. This campaign will continue into 2008. A media advisory with details of the campaign will be released tomorrow."

There's a lot I could have commented on but this caught my eye. You are correct in that NZ does not have a written Constitution as has the United States and incedently requires a vote of two thirds majoity to change it. That's one of the pitfalls of the US political system is that it can not evolve but that's another issue.

NZ has what is known as an unwriten constitution embodied in 'case' law. No legislation becomes law unless sihned by the Govenor General who as you know is the Queens representitive to 'safe guard' democracy. To date there has been no conceerns from this quarter that democracy or freedom of speech is under threat.

The Justice or Judiciary is independent from Parliment. I' m sure there will come a time when this law will be tested in the Courts.

I have no idea who David Farr is but he seem intent on finding out if the Legislation is indeed unworkable and a threat to our democrate system.

I have no doubt that you have little faith in the comments in the Hollow Men and to date there has be no serious rebuff from any quarter as far as that book goes but to me a more seriouse threat to our democratic system comes from offshore money and the influences of think tanks in the likes of the Maxim Institute who are more interested in the rapin of NZ for benifit of off shore investors.

The 'right' has never come to terms with MMP and these sorts of issues that get promoted is sysematic of this. Personaly I find it encourgaing that New Zealanders are becoming more involved in politics it's just a pity that not many seem to know how our system works. i woul dhave thought the the NZ Law Society might have lead the way but on second thoughts the Legal Profession has a history of looking after its own so in that respect any one who has a smattering of history as far this proffession goes would not be surprised with their opposition.


Skyryder

[Skyryder]

The Free Speech Coalition, set up to campaign against the Electoral Finance Bill, is sad that MPs from Labour, NZ First, and the Greens have ignored the massive public sentiment against the bill.

The Free Speech Coalition is a trade association of the pornography and adult entertainment industry in the United States. Founded in 1991, it opposes the passage and enforcement of censorship and obscenity laws.

Finn is there anyone on your coalition that has connections or interests associated with this American namesake?


Skyryder