Watching the increasing dialogue with respect to our MMP system, is concerning. One of the biggest problems at the moment is that most of the non-politically active people I know don’t really understand our political system or the rationale for MMP.
To this day, I still have people asking me ‘what is a list MP’. To put it in to context for our Pacific peoples, I explain that the majority of the Pacific MPs that have gotten in to Parliament, were initially list MPs (Vui Mark Gosche, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Anae Arthur Anae, Charles Chauvel, Su’a William Sio and myself) and that the MMP system was set up so that minority groups and women, could get better representation. It is a much fairer system, than first past the post.
Our NZ Parliament has come a long way with regards to fairly reflecting and representing our communities. Currently we have 1 Indo Fijian MP, 1 Sik Indian MP, 1 Korean MP, 2 Chinese MPs, 1 Pakistan MP, 17 Maori MPs, 3 Samoan MPs, 1 Tahitian MP, 1 Tongan/ Samoan MP. 28 MPs who identify with something other than just Pakeha.
We have 40 female MPs (22 of whom are list MPs). We also have a number of MPs who are openly gay.
Isn’t it great that we have a broad spectrum of people who represent the views of All New Zealanders – Why would we want to jeopardise this?
Draco I think you’re spinning as usual. The Royal Commission report was released in 1986. In 1990 Mr Bolger promised to hold a referendum on the issue. Mr Mallard will be able to correct me if I’m wrong, but as I understand it Labour made no such undertaking between 1986 and 1990.
You don’t get a referendum unless the government allows it to happen.
National and Labour were both opposed to MMP prior to the final vote in 1993. Both saw MMP as an attack on their power bases and opening up parliament to small parties.
Addendum, there’s a good summary from a non-partisan perspective of the history of MMP at http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/history/history-mmp.html .
@Geek – you’re right not all the votes count. I don’t think I worded my response very well – I meant to use alcp and bill and ben as examples of voters who knowingly vote for a tiny party knowing that their party won’t get in. Yes I agree that MMP isn’t perfect.
sorry about that Trevor .. I was at the Counties v Wgtn game .. very sad. No more rugby comments in future.