MMP may be back for debate

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Electoral reform is back on the agenda as the Government prepares to reopen the debate on whether to dump MMP.

A Government spokesman said yesterday that papers for consideration had gone to the Cabinet last week on a electoral referendum to be held either before or at the time of the next election.

Justice Minister Simon Power is leading the debate. But the Government appears to be taking a softly-softly approach in the wake of criticism that it had turned its back on the results of the recent smacking referendum.

It did not trumpet the news that officials had started laying the groundwork for another referendum, despite it being a key campaign pledge.

A critical concern will be the timing of a referendum National promised to bring one in either before, or at the time of the 2011 election.

Some anti-MMP campaigners are urging it to put the question to voters sooner rather than later so that the next election can be held under a new system, if that is what voters decide.

It is understood, however, that the Government is working to a longer timetable and a two-stage process. The first referendum, which would be held at the time of the 2011 election, would ask voters whether they thought there should be a change of electoral system. If change was favoured, a second referendum would be held before 2014 on the options.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said she would be surprised if a referendum was held before the next election. "I don't really think [the Government has] the stomach to deal with another referendum within the first term of their government, given the political fallout of the last one for them."

Ms Turei said the Greens wanted a review with public consultation before any referendum was held.

The MMP debate looks likely to be hotly contested some of those who led the debate last time around have re-emerged, including former Telecom chairman Peter Shirtcliffe, who campaigned for the retention of the old first-past-the-post system before MMP's introduction more than a decade ago.

Mr Shirtcliffe and author Graeme Hunt are spearheading the latest efforts to overturn MMP, and favour the supplementary member system. Neither could be contacted for comment yesterday.

The supplementary member system would see most MPs elected under first-past-the-post and a smaller number on party lists.

Ms Turei said supplementary member voting was "essentially a return to first-past-the-post".

Prime Minister John Key has also signalled his support for supplementary member voting.

- © Fairfax NZ News