Bidois DanDAN BIDOIS (National—Northcote): It's a pleasure to speak in the committee of the whole House on the Referendum Frameworks Bill. I've been listening to this. I wasn't going to take a contribution but we've been listening to this debate this evening and I felt the need to speak on this because I'm passionate about this topic and in particular about this framework bill.So we are in Part 2 of this bill which is really the crux of what this bill is all about. This part essentially gives the executive branch of Government the ability to set the topic to set the question and to set the options for a referendum that goes to the public. And like the previous speakers in this debate I believe that Parliament should be the voice of reason and that Parliament should determine the question and the topics and the options available for referendums because these are referendums that are likely to have far-reaching consequences for our future voters in the House tonight. It is the representative democracy that we have in New Zealand that this House has the representative nature to make decisions on behalf of all New Zealanders and not just for a few. So it is in many ways I think important that Parliament retains that authority to determine the topic to determine the questions and to determine the options available. Let me just refer to things like the referendum that we're going to face next year for example on cannabis. This is why this side of the Chamber has prosecuted the fact that we just still don't know the question for next year's referendum on cannabis. I raise it because it's an important part of this bill that the public of New Zealand should have the right to know well in advance what those questions will be and they would know if it was brought to Parliament and not held in the hands of the executive. It is also important about the options that are available. Is it a yes/no or are there in fact more than two options? I think my colleague Chris Penk raised some valid points that I would appreciate the Minister in the chair the Hon Andrew Little addressing on the options available.I do want to go to clause 9 which states that A referendum … must be held on polling day for the [next] general election." I myself having come through a by-election know that advance voting is becoming a big thing these days and it is not clear for me at least what clause 9 refers to. Does it actually include advance voting? Or is it the case that everybody who advance votes doesn't get a say on the referendum and only those that go on polling day get a chance to vote? Of course I would appreciate the Minister in the chair the Hon Andrew Little to clarify that and I can only surmise what that is from the bill.So it is really important and I am glad I've come down to the Chamber just to take a call on this debate. I again want to reiterate that it is in the hands of Parliament and that Parliament should decide the questions and the options and not the executive branch or Order of Council in this case. I would appreciate the Minister's clarification on clause 9. I don't think there's a requirement to consult the other parties in this and that's why I think it's important that Parliament be the body the representative body on behalf of the people of New Zealand that determines the question and the options and the topics that will be held in a referendum. Thank you."