16/6/09

Referendum system inadequate

“Politicians can be justified in their concerns about the referendum process, particularly in respect to the wording.” says Steve Baron, the Founder of Better Democracy NZ and co-editor of the book People Power.

“Many referendums in the past have been ambiguous, misleading, biased and confusing.” says Mr Baron, whose organisation has in the past recommended a professional Referendum Panel comprising of three retired High Court judges to approve the wording of any referendum question.

Mr Baron says, “There should be consultation with the referendum Initiator, but the Referendum Panel should have the final say if all parties cannot agree. The Referendum Panel should also approve the wording of a Referendum Pamphlet and Referendum website which should state the arguments for and against the referendum in a constructive and inf`rmative manner.

“If politicians are going to take referendums seriously, and consider such an option, they should also be considering the right of citizens to have their will enforced, and make all referendums binding. If they are not binding they are not worth the paper they are written on.” says Mr Baron.

Better Democracy NZ has also been promoting that signature numbers required to trigger a referendum be reduced to 100,000 instead of the current 10 percent which is approximately 300,000. They would also like all conscience votes in parliament abolished, with a mandatory referendum instead, as well as a referendum on any constitutional type changes. œThe conscience of the general public is just as important as the conscience of MPs. says Mr Baron.

END

© Scoop Media