✨ Speech from the Throne
4676 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 198
HONOURABLE Members of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. It is a privilege for me to exercise the prerogative of Her Majesty and open the 46th Parliament.
On 27 November the people of New Zealand voted for a change of government and a change of direction in economic and social policy.
Negotiations to form a new government were entered into immediately and concluded within a week. My government is conscious of the fact that this speedy conclusion to negotiations is part of a second chance for the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system to prove itself capable of delivering stable and effective government for New Zealand.
That system continues to broaden the base of electoral representation and to produce a House of Representatives which is more truly representative of New Zealanders in all their diversity.
As required by the Electoral Act 1993, a review of the MMP system will be undertaken by a parliamentary select committee which will take into account the result of the indicative referendum on the size of Parliament.
My government recognises that there is deep public concern with a number of aspects of the operations of our political system in recent years. In particular, my government believes that the public is not prepared to countenance any repetition of the level of defection by Members of Parliament from their parties which has occurred in the last two parliaments.
Accordingly, legislation will be introduced to provide that, for this and the next parliament at least, such a practice will be outlawed. Members of Parliament will, therefore, be reminded of the obligations they have to the people of New Zealand when they seek and gain election under the banner of a political party.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS. The broad aims of my government are set out in the coalition agreement signed on 6 December. They are:
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To implement a policy platform which reduces inequality, is environmentally sustainable, and improves the social and economic wellbeing of all New Zealanders
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To restore public confidence in the political integrity of Parliament and the electoral process
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To provide stable and effective long term government for New Zealand without compromising the distinctive political identity of either party
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To act in good faith between the coalition partners.
This coalition agreement recognises that if multiparty government is to work effectively there has to be room for the parties involved to maintain their separate identities. It will provide specific procedures to implement and manage this aspect of the agreement. In particular, the cabinet manual will be reviewed within the first six months of the government’s term to ensure that the procedures outlined within that manual effectively facilitate the management of the coalition government.
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VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 1999, No 198
NZLII —
NZ Gazette 1999, No 198
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Speech from the Throne
(continued from previous page)
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration21 December 1999
Governor-General, Parliament, Government Address, Coalition Agreement, MMP Review, Political Integrity