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Thread ID: 92787	2008-08-23 02:50:00	Govt. plans to delay referendum	Erayd (23)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
699527	2008-08-23 02:50:00	Govt reaffirms position on referendum Aug 23, 2008 7:18 AM The government is reaffirming its decision to hold a postal ballot for the referendum on anti-smacking laws, and not carry it out on election day. An audit of the petition found that about 310,000 of the 390,000 signatures were valid. To trigger a referendum, 10% of registered voters (285,000) need to sign it. The government is insisting the issue goes to a postal ballot next year, saying it would cause confusion and delays if it was held on election day. Petition supporters say the delay is a blatant attempt to silence their concerns during the election campaign. Family First spokesman Bob McCoskrie says the government is being patronising. "The attempt to delay democracy by this government is breathtaking. This is a cynical attempt to muzzle the voice of NZ'ers who are opposed to the hugely unpopular and highly flawed anti-smacking law," he says But the government is determined to stick with a postal ballot for the anti-smacking referendum, insisting it won't be held on election day. Justice Minister Annette King says the Chief Electoral Officer has provided very clear advice to her recommending a postal ballot . "The referenda held at the same time as the 1999 General Election caused confusion, congestion in polling places, and significantly delayed the preliminary results, and the Chief Electoral Officer has advised me the same problems would occur this year if the referendum was held at the same time as the General Election," she says. A majority vote in Parliament could change that but it would require an MP to file a notice of motion and get the necessary votes. An MP could seek leave for it to be introduced immediately but that would likely be blocked by Labour or the Greens.Dunno about you guys, but to me this looks like the current government scrambling for any excuse possible to avoid reminding the public about this on election day. In my opinion, delaying it like this is completely unethical - there was massive public support (over 90%) to throw out these changes before they were passed, but they were passed anyway. Now that a huge portion of the country has formally complained about it, all we get is an attempt to shove the whole mess under the carpet. The whole point of a democratic government is to represent the interests of the general population, which it clearly isn't doing here. Obviously (and rather unsurprisingly) they're far more interested in saving their own sorry hides from being voted out of office for doing a lousy job.	Erayd (23)
699528	2008-08-23 03:06:00	My observations over the years tell me that the only time politicians appear to have any intelligence is when they are protecting the butts. Either when wanting an increase in salary/retirement benefits or looking after their jobs. Ba$tard politicians - most of them!!! Ken Sorry if I sound bitter. They just don't listen to what people want!	kenj (9738)
699529	2008-08-23 03:44:00	Dunno about you guys, but to me this looks like the current government scrambling for any excuse possible to avoid reminding the public about this on election day. In my opinion, delaying it like this is completely unethical - there was massive public support (over 90%) to throw out these changes before they were passed, but they were passed anyway. Now that a huge portion of the country has formally complained about it, all we get is an attempt to shove the whole mess under the carpet. The whole point of a democratic government is to represent the interests of the general population, which it clearly isn't doing here. Obviously (and rather unsurprisingly) they're far more interested in saving their own sorry hides from being voted out of office for doing a lousy job. What ever happened to the MMP referendum we were promised?	roddy_boy (4115)
699530	2008-08-23 04:15:00	. . . . They just don't listen to what people want! Actually they do listen . It is just that their definition of "People" may not be quite what you might expect . And everything they hear is treated as amusing . About the only thing in favour of the present bunch is that they are better than the posturing prats aspiring to replace them . That does not make them even in sight of being depressingly bad . :yuck:	R2x1 (4628)
699531	2008-08-23 04:44:00	What is depressing,is people who see this mob as better that anything. Oh and have no concept of living without nanny state.	Cicero (40)
699532	2008-08-23 07:11:00	So how would you live without "nanny state"? Martynz	martynz (5445)
699533	2008-08-23 07:16:00	So how would you live without "nanny state"? You rip off as much as you can during the sale of State assets and shoot through to Switzerland.	PaulD (232)
699534	2008-08-23 07:34:00	So how would you live without "nanny state"? Martynz by working......	Metla (12)
699535	2008-08-23 07:57:00	by working...... If Only I could!!! PJ	Poppa John (284)
699536	2008-08-23 08:33:00	And this B…h has the gall to lambaste Zimbabwe and Fiji for their politics . :eek: Let’s face it, she and her lieutenants are straight out power freaks . However, don’t expect too much different with the pending change . As my farther used to say “The only person to enter Parliament with honest intentions was Guy Fawkes!” ;)	B.M. (505)
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