VALUE YOUR VOTE 2017: Binding Citizens Initiated Referenda
If important issues can pass the very high threshold of firstly obtaining almost 300,000 valid signatures from New Zealand citizens, and then win a majority vote after the public debate, Parliament should be bound by the result. Unfortunately, politicians have been able to simply ignore the views of New Zealanders on issues such as law and order, the anti-smacking law, and the number of MPs. Government accountability should be able to happen regularly and on individual issues where there is high voter interest – not just once every three years at a general election. A poll in 2014 found 2:1 support in favour of binding referenda.
