King MattMATT KING (National—Northland): It's quite ironic really this Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill.Kieran McAnulty: Why's that Matt?MATT KING: Because it has no integrity. It could be the Winston Peters (Save My Party) Bill". It could be the "Brendan Horan (Never Again) Bill". You might recall Brendan Horan. He was ousted by Peters on flimsy evidence but he was able to stay on as an Independent because this law wasn't in effect. Well you'll recall that Brendan Horan was actually cleared of any wrongdoing by the police. We all know what happened in the 1990s. New Zealand First MPs with principles—there are some apparently in the past—jumped off the sinking Winston ship. He doesn't want that happening again so he's made sure as part of coalition negotiations that he included this affront to democracy.I look across at those New Zealand First MPs—I see there's only one of them in the House today. I know they can't seriously believe that this is good for them—seriously. If they cross swords with their leader Mr Peters they are "gone-burger". No ifs no buts; they are gone.You say you need two-thirds of your caucus to vote to back him up. Well just under half of your caucus are Ministers. Who appoints them? Mr Peters. So you are hardly going to go against the guy that's given you the job. So who in their right mind is going to disagree with Mr Peters? I say none. He can control his flock. He can round them up. They have to do his bidding. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. I feel true sympathy for where the New Zealand First MPs find themselves. I would not want to be a New Zealand First MP right now. It's a precarious position to hold.As for the Greens I thought they were a party of principles. In the past they opposed this legislation. They not only opposed it they opposed it vehemently. I'm highly amused at hearing them try to argue for it now. I quote a staunch former Green MP Rod Donald who stated "[We are] fundamentally opposed to this anti-democratic legislation … MPs must retain the right to be answerable to their own consciences … Anti-defection legislation is designed to gag outspoken MPs and crush dissent". But after the benefit fraud affair now I see their principles are up for sale—for sale to the highest bidder to stay in power. The Greens are willing to do it in exchange—Darroch Ball: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is getting ridiculous. That member is now questioning whether our principles are for sale and that's exactly what he said. He's been talking about New Zealand First members' lack of principles and lack of integrity throughout this entire speech and that last statement that he made implying that our principles are for sale is not acceptable.Hon Simon Bridges: Firstly that member can't even spell "principles". Secondly he didn't say that. He did not say that and the member should be more accurate.Hon Dr Nick Smith: I totally agree with the point that's been made by the Leader of the House but I'd like you to reflect on the contribution that was made by Darroch Ball during his speech. It was very robust. It made all sorts of comments that members on this side of the House could take offence to. For him now to block the speech from my colleague on the basis of being sensitive would be inconsistent with his own contribution.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Thank you for the contributions. The particular points that I heard were actually spoken about the Green Party immediately after you rose Mr Ball. There has been some robust discussion and I don't see why that should not continue. There was not any specific allegation and so I'm going to take that in the broadness of the debate and I think Mr King can carry on.Kieran McAnulty: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You may not have realised but the clock was still running for a good 30 seconds while this was happening and whilst it is a boring speech I think it's fair to Mr King that he be given that time back.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Sorry the member can't stand and take a point of order on that. It is the sole judgment of the Speaker to decide and I will ask the member to conclude the speech when I'm ready. Thank you.MATT KING: Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker—great decision. The Greens are willing to do it in exchange for a national holiday believe it or not.Former Labour Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer stated that MPs should not be coerced by standover tactics in closed rooms by party leaders. I find it interesting as a newbie MP to see this coalition Government twisting and turning backflipping and bending over to accommodate their quite opposing views just to stay in power. It's only been five months; it's going to be a hell of a ride with these guys.Arguing for this piece of legislation is like putting lipstick on a pig: you can't dress it up any other way. It's overriding democracy to maintain your political position and it's an abuse of power of the worst kind. This is not what the voters wanted or need. It effectively stifles the freedom of expression in the House a freedom that has special constitutional value. My voters in Northland want me to be able to speak freely when representing them in Wellington and speak for them I do. This law would mean I would have to march in tune purely to my leader—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Order! The member's time has expired. I will call Greg O'Connor a five minute call."