9. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of Justice: What steps is the Government taking before the next general election to improve the law governing campaign finance?
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) : Later this week I will bring a bill to the House that seeks to repeal the Electoral Finance Act 2007. The Act will be replaced with an interim regime that largely reverts back to the previous law, except for the rules surrounding donations and a penalties structure. The Government has committed to passing this legislation in its first 100 days. It is my intention to then embark on behalf of the Government on a wide-ranging consultative series of meetings and other consultation to form a more enduring reform of electoral finance law, which will be in place for the 2011 general election.
Chester Borrows: What consultation has he undertaken on these proposals?
Hon SIMON POWER: The repeal of the Electoral Finance Act was clearly signalled to the public as a priority for the incoming Government, and last week I wrote to the leaders or the representatives in the justice area of those parties who are not represented in the Government, to offer to meet with them to discuss this legislation. I am pleased to say that to date very many of those parties have accepted that invitation.
Chester Borrows: Has he received any feedback on the Government’s proposed approach to electoral finance reform?
Hon SIMON POWER: Yes. I have taken the opportunity to speak with the Leader of the Opposition, who has indicated that he is interested in engaging in the process. Incidentally, I have also read a press release by the New Zealand Public Service Association, which welcomes the Government’s decision to repeal the Electoral Finance Act.
Mr SPEAKER: We come to question No. 10. I call the Hon Lianne Dalziel. [Interruption] I beg the member’s pardon. I ask members, if they are going to call, to please do so promptly following the previous question.
John Boscawen: Why does the Minister propose to carry through the donation provisions in the Electoral Finance Act when most of these were introduced after public submissions, both written and oral, had closed, and the public had been denied a chance to comment on them?
Hon SIMON POWER: Transparency is an important part of enduring electoral law.