Electoral Commission’s view contrary to ASA, Select Committee, Constitutional Advisory Panel and Vote for Change.

18 November 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vote for Change is standing by its decision--tree advertisement that points out that MMP requires more MPs to function properly than the alternative voting systems on offer in the electoral referendum.

The Electoral Commission’s view is contrary to the ASA, a Parliamentary Select Committee, a member of the Constitutional Advisory Panel and Vote for Change. Vote for Change spokesperson Jordan Williams says, “yesterday the Advertising Standards Authority ruled that our decision tree is not misleading.

Today the Electoral Commission is being used as a tool to stifle debate by some claiming that it is misleading to point out that MMP favors having a larger Parliament.”

“While the Commission is right to point out that the choice of a smaller Parliament is not what this referendum is about, it should still be a factor that Kiwis consider before they vote to keep the current system or vote for change.”

“In 2006, when Parliament considered reducing to 99 MPs MMP was used as the excuse not to. The National Party said that it preferred a smaller Parliament but that it would not be possible under MMP.”

“Just because the politicians have decided that they don’t want a smaller Parliament, that doesn’t mean New Zealanders shouldn’t take into consideration that MMP requires more MPs to function properly.”

“A member of the Constitutional Advisory Panel, tasked with assessing the size of Parliament, agrees with us that the voting system choice is interdependent on the type of voting system.”

For the full disclosure of communications between the Advertising Standards Authority, the Electoral Commission and Vote for Change, please visit: http://www.voteforchange.org.nz/disclosure

“Vote for Change has published online the correspondence between itself and the Commission for the public to form a judgment for themselves” says Mr Williams.

ENDS

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