Electoral Finance Bill votes
Today we had proof that the Green MPs are hypocritical and unprincipled.Today Parliament considered some of the 150 amendments to the Electoral Finance Bill.
The Greens oppose anonymous donations to political parties and support free speech -like anonymous advocacy.. So when an amendment to permit anonymous advocacy on the Internet under the bill, they voted against it because they believe that anyone who posts a political message - other than on a blog - on the Internet must put their name and address to it each and every time in election year.
Then because the bill actually allows anonymous donations, the Greens, instead of deciding to vote against the bill, put up a Supplementary Order Paper asking for the law to be reviewed in two months. Remember, they are supporting a bill to stop the big money being paid to political parties in election year, and want to review it before most people have even donated - and have the Minister of Justice appoint the panel to review it. Furthermore, they dont even have to report back until after the election.
And as members of the public, we dont have a say in the matter on this law, democratic process or human rights. And as David Farrar says the moral obligation to be a good citizen and not break laws is diminished when you have daft laws like this one.
Or should we use the words of Dear Leader:
.It is important that the Commonwealth does back the principles which it repeatedly says that it stands for; those principles being constitutional law, human rights and democracy. Except if you are a Labour, Green or United Future MP.