6. Question No. 6—JusticeJAMI-LEE ROSS (Botany) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 6—Justice6. JAMI-LEE ROSS (Botany) to the Minister of Justice: Does he intend to further amend the Electoral Act 1993 to make it unlawful for a political party to accept a $150000 donation from a New Zealand - registered company owned entirely by a foreign shareholder in China; if not why not?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): No as we're getting too close to the 2020 election to make further changes to the Electoral Act. In any event the changes introduced by the Government through the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2)—now an Act—would mean that in such a circumstance the party secretary would have to take reasonable steps to ensure that the donation was not made by or on behalf of an overseas person as receiving such a donation could amount to an illegal practice.Jami-Lee Ross: Does he concur with the Prime Minister's view that the $150000 donation received by the National Party from Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd was outside the spirit of the law" and if so why did he not make further amendments to improve the law through the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2)?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: It's not for me to express a legal opinion on matters arising under that Act. That is a matter for the Electoral Commission and any enforcement agencies except that the reason we have the laws in the Electoral Act covering political donations and the rules around disclosure is exactly so that people can see who is supporting political parties—where political parties are getting their sponsorship from. But I remain satisfied and confident that the rule change passed by Parliament this week in relation to banning foreign donations and the associated measures that go with that address this particular issue and require party general secretaries to ensure that donations received are compliant with the law.Jami-Lee Ross: Is New Zealand at risk from foreign interference in our democracy by foreign nationals that own New Zealand - registered companies seeking to influence Government Ministers by making significant donations and if so what advice does he intend to provide those holding ministerial office on how to mitigate that foreign interference risk when meeting with wealthy foreign nationals?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Yes that risk is apparent and that is a risk that was notified to the Justice Committee both in public and in private as they conducted the inquiry into the 2017 general election but the reason we have the rules that we do is precisely to provide that level of transparency. But again I remain confident that the law changes that we passed this week will require party general secretaries to now take more action and to be more actively involved in ensuring that the donations that political parties receive comply with the law.Jami-Lee Ross: Is it consistent with any advice he may give his colleagues that are Ministers that if they meet with a foreign national in China and then later invite that person to meet in New Zealand where electoral donations are discussed and then take steps to procure an electoral donation from a company entirely owned by that foreign national it would be unhelpful for New Zealand's foreign interference risks?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The member in his question lays out a number of assertions. I don't know whether they are factual or not except to say in circumstances like that that is just the sort of situation that the law changes passed by Parliament this week seek to address. It is important I think now that we are on notice from agencies and from conduct around the world that we are at greater risk of foreign interference and undue foreign influence that all members and all participants in our political process take appropriate steps to mitigate that risk of foreign interference and undue foreign influence.Jami-Lee Ross: Has he sought any advice on establishing an independent commission against corruption which could be tasked in part with investigating foreign interference in our democracy where a Minister procures an election donation from a foreign national who has business interests associated with that Minister's portfolio responsibilities?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: It is true that this Government does intend to embark on a programme of work in relation to our current corruption regime and it is the view of the Minister of Police and myself that just having the Serious Fraud Office is not enough given the potential issues around corruption. When I was in Australia last week I took some time to visit the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption to see how they operate. The New Zealand Government work on that has been postponed because of other demands particularly since 15 March this year but I am keen to see at some point a more thoroughgoing regime for dealing with issues of corruption. I make no comment about allegations made in relation to political corruption.Jami-Lee Ross: Should the Electoral Act require a political party to return donations if it can be proved by an inquiry either by the Electoral Commission or a law enforcement agency that the source of funding originated offshore in China?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The regime that currently exists under our Electoral Act is that if there is an overseas donation or a foreign donation that does not comply with the requirements of that Act then that donation must be surrendered to the Electoral Commission.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Minister—to better understand the subject that he is dealing with and the law that he seeks to cast—will he avail himself of asking Jami-Lee Ross MP what more he knows about the certain activities of a certain political party that's deafeningly silent today?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The way question time operates is that it's Ministers of the Crown who are subject to the questioning but the member who just asked the question could refer to Mr Ross' speech in Parliament the other night.Hon Paula Bennett: Good try old man.SPEAKER: Order! The member will stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Paula Bennett: I withdraw and apologise.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Supplementary—Hon Paula Bennett: But it's appropriate for him.SPEAKER: Order! The member is interfering with her own member's question when she is meant to be silent. The other point that I would make is that going right back to my grandmother it was suggested that pointing it out in that way was rude.Hon Shane Jones: Hear hear! Behave!SPEAKER: Mr Jones not again today.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Thank you Mr Speaker. Can the Minister explain given its commitment to openness and transparency why Labour members blocked the ex-president of New Zealand First—its president and treasurer—from being able to appear—SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member will resume his seat."