Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei): Thank you Mr Chair. It's a pleasure to speak to this bill particularly to speak to new clause 7 and the three Supplementary Order Papers (SOPs) that underline it. I have grave concerns for this bill and these SOPs go some way to remediating the damage which I'm quite certain this bill will do—the damage not only to us domestically but I'm also very concerned about the damage that it will do to our international reputation.We've heard some of the countries offshore that we're being likened to—Rwanda Uganda etc.Hon Member: Zimbabwe.Dr SHANE RETI: Zimbabwe indeed. So concerned am I with what this bill will do to our international reputation that I met with Transparency International a few weeks ago because I was interested to see what the impact of this bill would be on the Corruption Perceptions Index that New Zealand so proudly leads every year. We are so proud all of us across the House that we rank at the top for having minimal corruption. So if we pass this bill what will be the impact on the Corruption Perceptions Index that Transparency International produces each year? Well I met with them and they said to me: Look this is mostly about public servants Shane. So probably there is no great impact but we're clearly strongly in favour of democracy and democratic societies."Now earlier this year the Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty produced a very interesting index—an international index—called the World Electoral Freedom Index that talks specifically to what this bill is all about. So I wrote to them and sent them a copy of this bill and said "What would be the implications for New Zealand on your publication of the World Electoral Freedom Index?" The secretary-general from Madrid Juan Pina wrote back to me. In his discussion he said this: "Any new rule which objectively increases the power held by political party apparatus would most likely weaken the MP's individual standing as a representative of his or her constituents." He concluded: "This and any distortion of the voters' will is seen as a regression by the World Electoral Freedom Index standards and will certainly reflect on the country's performance"—Hon Andrew Little: Why don't you talk to the SOP?Dr SHANE RETI: —"will certainly reflect on the country's performance in upcoming editions"—CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Order! The Minister in the chair does not interject from the chair or control the mute button. OK? That's not to happen again.Dr SHANE RETI: Good thank you Mr Chair. If I can just complete that sentence that was interrupted. "This and any distortion of the voters' will is seen as a regression by the World Electoral Freedom Index standards and will certainly reflect on the country's performance in upcoming editions." That's a threat to us. That's a threat that when the World Electoral Freedom Index is published in January next year New Zealand will be ranked down because of this bill. That's what we're being told. Our international reputation—by an objective independent body—will suffer if we pass this bill.There are substantial implications for us. What will happen to interest rates? What will happen to our standing in various other international environments—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): And if the member could relate those points to party rules that we're debating—Dr SHANE RETI: Thank you Mr Chair. I bring this back then to new clause 7 and the three SOPs to make the point that we're seeking to remediate with some sorts of democratic processes the damage that this bill will do overall and I'm making the case that our international partners and international people are seeing that damage as well.So I strongly support these amendments and these SOPs. Thank you. I seek leave to table the letter from the secretary-general of the Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty talking about the World Electoral Freedom Index and the implications for this bill.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. Thank you.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."