Posts by Idiot Savant
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Maybe we should try and swamp the system with meaningless referenda. Can you have a multishot petition:
Nope - it has to ask only one question (though how the 1999 crime one got through I'll never know).
Swamping th system would be difficult, given the threshold is so high (something else I'd be happy to change with the right framework). And it seems to be quite difficult to get even a few hundred signatures on a petition to Parliament, let alone ~300,000 to force a poll. But if you can build such a network, then it could be quite useful for other things...
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You want non-binding referendums on actual legislation?
Actually, with proper questions and some decent checks and balances, I'd want them to be binding - basically used as an alternative mchanism to pass laws. But that would require that they be treated with some maturity, rather than just a venue for grumpy buggers to grandstand and vent their spleens.
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Exactly. The 99 MPs ballot would be a good example?
While its clearer than most, I'd still prefer an actual bill. it's not that hard, and the Office of the Clerk should be there to help.
No "mom and apple pie".
Really?
I'd have thought "do you hate politicians" was as "mom and apple pie" as you can get.
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You can ask, and many would echo your sentiments but that's the price of Democracy. The Law says you need 350,000 signatures on a CIR petition. If the petition says "John Key is a Knob and should have to wear a T-Shirt everyday that says 'I Am A Knob'" and they can get 350,000 signatures ....
Alternatively, we could do it about Larry Baldock. One bad referenda deserves another...
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So, who's up for repealing the Citizen Initiated Referenda Act
Nope - I'd rather fix it. First step: make the question on an actual piece of legislation (which must comply with Standing Orders for form and content, and comply with the BORA), rather than a vague, leading motherhood statement. And that way, neither side will be able to hide behind the vagueness of the question.
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You can ask, and many would echo your sentiments but that's the price of Democracy. The Law says you need 350,000 signatures on a CIR petition. If the petition says "John Key is a Knob and should have to wear a T-Shirt everyday that says 'I Am A Knob'" and they can get 350,000 signatures ....
Anyone want to put up the $500 and start this one rolling? I'll sign it...
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Craig: When given a choice between the views of the Chief Electoral Office and faith-based conspiracy loonies on what is and isn't possible, please forgive me for choosing the former.
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And if this had been released a couple of months ago when the decision was presumable made, without the PM using it as some sort of "Gotcha" we might have avoided all of this...
Indeed. But that would have required someone to be proactive about the release of official information, which I just don't think they're used to.
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Its from the Chief Electoral Office, dated March, and seems to say exactly what the Pm says it does. There's also this little gem:
The CEO is not funded to conduct CIR and whichever option is adopted, a between budget bid would be required if either petition is successful.
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Kyle: here.