General policy statement

 

This Bill amends the Electoral Act 1993 in order to enhance public confidence in the integrity of the electoral system by upholding the proportionality of political party representation in Parliament as determined by electors. The Bill provides for a member to vacate their seat in Parliament if they choose to give notice to the Speaker of their ceasing parliamentary membership of the party for which they were elected. The Bill also provides for a vacancy to occur if the member’s party leader gives notice that the leader reasonably believes that the member’s actions have distorted, and are likely to continue to distort, the proportionality of political party representation in Parliament, as determined at the last general election. It is not compulsory for the party leader to give the notice that leads to a vacancy under this Bill. The giving of notice to the Speaker is at the leader’s discretion, which means the leader can take into account the circumstances and their party’s own rules.

I think it would be a serious mistake to pass that legislation - it gives too much executive power to a political party leader - and that power could be abused, particularly in any case where political views might change rapidly due to circumstance, and any challenge to that executive power by elected MPs could result in them being hung out to dry.

Edit: Oh wait - it's passed?  I hope not as above.  It appears so (I must have been asleep - or the media weren't waking me up) - it's an awful piece of legislation which needs to be repealed.

If JLR hadn't resigned his seat, then sure that presents a problem - but the lesser of two evils IMO.