A preview into the future of MMP (Politics and Law e-news)

This week the Electoral Commission released their proposal paper on the future of MMP. It's great to see that they've listened to public submissions and have put forward proposals that will strengthen MMP. Email not displaying correctly? View in browser Politics and law e-news Email newsletter on law and order, justice & courts, police, corrections, human rights, Treaty of Waitangi, state services Sign up for news by topic Get a regular wrap-up of news in these topic areas: Economy Environment & Resources Fairness & Society Health & Food International Relations Politics & Law Sign up for Greenweek weekly or monthly digest general news wrap-up from the Green MPs Change subscriptions Talk to MPs Catherine Delahunty Dave Clendon Denise Roche Eugenie Sage Gareth Hughes Holly Walker Jan Logie Julie Anne Genter Kennedy Graham Kevin Hague Metiria Turei Mojo Mathers Russel Norman Steffan Browning Feedback Reply to this email with your views Follow us   www.greens.org.nz Kia ora Waikato This week the Electoral Commission released their proposal paper on the future of MMP. It's great to see that they've listened to public submissions and have put forward proposals that will strengthen MMP. Removing the one-electorate seat threshold and reducing the 4% party vote threshold will make MMP even fairer and more proportional. There is still a chance to have your say on the review of MMP - the Electoral Commission will be accepting public submissions on their proposals until Friday 7 September. Holly Walker, Green Party MP Have your say on the review of MMP Skip to news Take action Have your say on the Lobbying Disclosure Bill Holly Walker's Bill aims to bring a measure of transparency to lobbying activity, as well as enhance trust in the integrity of Parliament and political decision-making. Read more about the Bill or make a submission now. Events False Economy: The High Cost of a Low Wage Economy Green Party MPs Jan Logie and Denise Roche are on a national tour to discuss the impact of the government's welfare reforms and funding cuts on community organisations and on our communities. Timaru Tuesday 21st August 7:00pm - 9:00pm Christchurch Wednesday 22nd August 7:00pm - 9:00pm Lock The Gate! The Expansion of Fracking and Unconventional Oil and Gas in NZ Join us for an evening of information sharing, learning and korero with a public panel featuring touring Australian Campaigner Drew Hutton, Gareth Hughes MP and Hawkes Bay's Haana Wilcox. Wellington Wednesday 22nd 6:30pm - 8:30pm Julie Anne Genter speaks at The Road Ahead - How would you spend $30 billion? With rising petrol prices, a growing population, and a need to cut our carbon emissions, New Zealand faces some big transport challenges. But are these also big opportunities? Wellington Thursday 23rd August 6:30pm - 8:00pm 'Inside Child Poverty' documentary screening and discussion with Holly Walker Come and see the documentary that lays bare NZ's most pressing issue. Whanganui Monday 27th August 7:30pm - 9:30pm Save our Schools: public meeting with Catherine Delahunty and Nanaia Mahuta Catherine and Nanaia take a look at Education today in NZ under the current Government's programme. Gisborne Monday, 27th August - 7:00pm - 10:00pm View more events Lobbying   Holly Walker on her Lobbying Disclosure Bill We believe the public has a right to know who's lobbying MPs about what. Watch the video... Sharing some facts about the lobbying bill Blog post by Holly Walker With all of the attention that my lobbying bill has been receiving recently, I’ve noticed some confusion and misconception out there about some of the parts of the bill. Read more... Have your say on the lobbying bill Blog post by Holly Walker Submissions are now open on my Lobbying Disclosure Bill. Read more... Privacy Prime Minister must tell Bennett to follow privacy law Press release, 15 August 2012 John Key should instruct Paula Bennett to act in accordance with the Privacy Act, in light of her refusal today to rule out releasing private information on benefit recipients in the future, said the Green Party. Read more...   Russel Norman questions the Prime Minister on Paula Bennett's privacy breach Oral question, Russel Norman MP, 16 August 2012 Does he agree with the statement made by the Hon Bill English, in relation to the release of Natasha Fuller's private details by his Social Development Minister, that, "People who enter into public debate are welcome to do so ... and should provide their full information to the public"? Watch video or read transcript... Electoral reform: MMP MMP report great chance to strengthen system Blog post by Holly Walker This week, the Electoral Commission released their proposal paper on changes to MMP, following extensive public consultation on our voting system. Read more... Electoral Commission recommendations strengthen MMP Press release, 13 August 2012 The Green Party is welcoming the recommendations of the Electoral Commission in the MMP Proposal Paper released today. Read more... Local government Auckland should be going for better not bigger Press release, 7 August 2012 Auckland City Council should be focused on growing into a better city, not a bigger one, the Green Party said today. Read more... Call for other councils to follow Auckland's lead over pokies Bill Press release, 9 August 2012 The Green Party is calling on other councils to follow Auckland Council's lead and support a Member's Bill that would restructure the community pokie industry. Read more... Courts Focus on families not savings Press release, 7 August 2012 Safe families, not cost, should drive Family Court reforms, the Green Party says. Advice to the Government, in a regulatory impact statement on the Family Court Review, announced last week, focuses on an "urgent" need to reduce costs in the system.  Read more... Treaty of Waitangi Tangata Tiriti - What does it mean? Blog post by Catherine Delahunty A couple of bloggers who comment on the performance of Maori MPs have recently included me in their analysis because of the Te Tiriti focus in my political work. Read more... Human rights Protect the Human; Amnesty International is fundraising Blog post by Jan Logie All too many people in this world need protection – protection from human rights abuses. Read more... We'd love to hear your views on our email newsletters. Simply reply to this email and let us know your thoughts. 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