Four-year parliamentary term legislation to be introduced, would go to referendum

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/543151/four-year-parliamentary-term-legislation-to-be-introduced-would-go-to-referendum

Anyone have thoughts on pros/cons?

7 points · 12 comments · view on lemmy.world

12 Comments

Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz · 6 pts · 1y (5 replies)

This has been recommended multiple times by multiple different enquiries etc, it's about time someone actually got it done.

Putting it to a referendum, and the additional checks and balances, sound like some very reasonable extra precautions.

absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz · 4 pts · 1y (3 replies)

Yes, but we don't govern by what the experts say. We govern by what the current party thinks their base wants. It is all based on feeling and not knowledge.

Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz · 2 pts · 1y (2 replies)

To a point, but this time we are actually doing what the experts advise.

absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz · 3 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Not necessarily.....the public could still torpedo this!

Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz · 2 pts · 1y

That's the joy of a democracy, the people get what they want, even if it's a terrible idea.

Although this does have a lot of public support, so I think it will pass.

BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz · 1 pts · 1y

Why is 4 better than 3. Why not 5 or 6 or 10?

_ed@lemmy.nz · 4 pts · 1y (2 replies)

Personally not a fan of the idea. The carrot of the current approach of a 2x3 year term, where they only get the extra 3 years if they have done enough for a mellowpuff is a good check.

/edit - having said that a 2020 poll said that 61% were in favour so there you go.

Dave@lemmy.nz · 4 pts · 1y

I am generally a fan because it does allow for less time and money spent on elections but I do see the value in a shorter term. I don't quite get the whole thing about having 3 year terms if the select committee isn't set up a certain way though. Very confusing.

Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz · 3 pts · 1y

It kinda feels like we're perpetually either having an election, or just had an election at the moment. I'm kinda over it.

deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

This lowers the opportunity cost of having elections and gives a government more capability for implementing stuff and seeing a result within the same term.

It's a good thing IMHO. But no longer than four years.

BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz · 1 pts · 1y

I'd rather have laws have protections than four year terms. When the law is written there should be specified language saying it can't be repealed until after X is measured and found to be not compliant with expected outcomes.

RecallMadness@lemmy.nz · 1 pts · 1y

I think I would rather a mechanism to allow longer term projects and policies, without needing to worry so much about the incoming government cancelling or repealing them.

Even a one-term grace period might be sufficient.

But, probably rife with problems Ive not considered.

_ed@lemmy.nz · 1 pts · 1y
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