Mitchell MarkHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's a pleasure to stand and take a call on this the Electoral Amendment Bill. I'm not going to relitigate the issues that the Hon Nick Smith raised—they were pertinent to our decision in not being able to support the bill to the House.I want to acknowledge the other committee members. The one thing about parliamentary select committees is that they should run independently and they should stand on that independence and that's what makes our democracy strong and it gives the public confidence when they come before the committee to make submissions that the committee will deal with that with a high level of independence. We felt very strongly that the committee came under the control of the Minister and especially in relation to the fact that we had a critical opportunity to actually hear from two submitters—Hon Andrew Little: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is a very serious allegation to make that members of a select committee were under the pressure of a Minister and conversely that a Minister in this House put undue pressure on a select committee. I invite Mr Speaker to reflect on that statement. I take offence at that statement and I do not think that statement should be made in this House.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Speaking to the point of order.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): I'm going to take some advice on this before I rule.The member should actually refer to the topic of the bill. My issue is actually around relevance rather than members taking offence but he is on the edge of that cliff. So be careful Mr Mitchell not to fall off it. I'd ask him to come back to both the content of the bill and the process of the select committee.Hon MARK MITCHELL: Speaking to the point of order Mr Speaker.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): No I've ruled.Hon MARK MITCHELL: So the reality of it is the select committee was presented with an opportunity to hear from submissions from the most recent member present of the New Zealand First Party who had resigned his position because he was—and he publicly said this—very concerned at the way donations were held and dealt with inside the party. It was a natural process and course that the select committee tasked by this Parliament to review the way donations were held—and I'd remind the Minister that Labour gave up their slot to have Jami-Lee Ross come and sit on the committee. So I'd remind them of that. I don't know how that's working out for them at the moment. We felt that it was very important that we heard from them; that we understood. There is no good reason—and I'll ask one of the Government members to stand and explain to us very carefully lay it out why they would not agree to hearing evidence from those people who had left high political office and had signalled that there was a massive issue and breach in terms of the way donations were being held.I have to acknowledge the Minister of Defence who's in the House: the future leader of New Zealand First I think we're looking at here—it's the defence Minister. He's on manoeuvres—he's on manoeuvres. I can see it in his face he's on manoeuvres. He's deciding; what's he going to use? A HALO jump? High altitude low opening or is he going to go full infantry with a full frontal attack? He used to be a very good deputy leader; he's on manoeuvres without doubt.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): And now back to the bill Mr Mitchell.Hon MARK MITCHELL: Sorry Mr Speaker. So anyway getting back to the point that I was making on a simple fact like that. The committee had been working very well together. We were cooperating because we realised the importance and the significance for this in terms of a Parliament that doesn't operate under a constitution and that there should be bipartisan work done on it. But when something as simple as asking two critically important witnesses to come and make a submission to the committee was shut down—and I know the Minister is very sensitive about this—Darroch Ball: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. What the member has been speaking about for the last four minutes has got nothing to do with the bill at all. He keeps talking about two witnesses. I know they've got a sick obsession with New Zealand First over there because the last two speakers of National have just spoken about New Zealand First. They need to just start talking about the bill.Tim van de Molen: Speaking to the point of order.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): No I don't need any help.Hon MARK MITCHELL: There's another leadership speech.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): No no. Order! I've already spoken about relevance.Hon David Bennett: It was very relevant.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): The Hon David Bennett will stand withdraw and apologise. He knows that when the Speaker's on their feet they do not interject.Hon David Bennett: I withdraw and apologise.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Thank you. I've already spoken about relevance. I was hoping that the member might get to a point about what he was talking about relevant to the bill. So far that hasn't happened. Now the member will speak to the bill. If he does not speak to the bill I will terminate his speech.Hon MARK MITCHELL: I'm happy to finish my speech there Mr Speaker. Thank you.