Smith NickHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): Thank you Mr Chairman. This amendment in my name inserting new clause 3A introduces—as did the 2001 legislation—a sunset clause to draw an end to this Draconian law. If this Government wants to found itself on the sorts of dodgy principles in this bill I'm happy for you to do that and that will be a stain on the heritage of your respective political parties but do not permanently change our electoral heritage. That's why I ask for this Parliament's support for saying that in 2023 this law will be dead.Now I do want to reflect on a little bit of history because actually this is the fourth piece of legislation of this form that the Parliament has had before it and I do want to recollect for the benefit of members opposite the disgraceful events that occurred during the Clark Government under such legislation. I'll tell you what happened. The leader of The Alliance Jim Anderton and the Labour Government that passed that law and insisted that party hopping was the worst sin which a member should be dismissed from this Parliament for—well here was the problem: Jim Anderton the leader of The Alliance wanted to party hop.Rt Hon David Carter: That's right.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: My colleague David Carter will recall that the so-called electoral integrity legislation imposed by members of the Labour Party and The Alliance—for 16 months they defended this ridiculous charade. Let me tell you what the charade was: when Jim Anderton was in the Parliament he was the leader of The Alliance because that was the only way that he could comply with the electoral integrity legislation. But the moment he walked out these doors he became the leader of the Progressive Party. In fact it became a bit of a joke that as he walked into the Chamber he would change from his multicoloured Alliance tie into his rich red tie. And—CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Can I just say to the honourable member that he doesn't have to recount the full history of that part of the electoral legislation. We are talking about a very narrow debate on the member's amendment to include a sunset clause and the member should restrict his—Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Well the history is very important because—CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): That might be correct but this clause is not about the history. It's about a very narrow area.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Mr Chairman I think it's very important that we learn from history because what we learnt from history was that this legislation was a disgrace. Far from meeting its purpose—and I want to draw your attention: do you know what the purpose of this legislation is? To improve respect for Parliament. Well I say to any member—and to David Carter who was here with me and a number of you others were as well—did the last version of this bill increase the respect for Parliament and for our electoral laws? It did not. It made a complete joke of it. There were cartoons galore and that is why I argue that this bill should have a sunset clause in it.In fact it's fascinating. Can I read you the comments when the 2005 attempt at this legislation was made? The Hon Michael Cullen—remember him? Do you know what he said to the Parliament in 2005?Hon Members: What did he say?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: He said in 2005 Perhaps the party-hopping legislation was a necessary evil during the transition from first past the post to MMP." but that "We did not want it"—this is the Labour Party—"as a permanent piece on New Zealand's electoral law architecture." So I say to members opposite: if that's what Michael Cullen said in 2005 what's changed? I'd love to hear. I'd love to hear from the Greens.Do you know what's most fascinating about the Greens? They will go to the far ends of the world to advocate for human rights and democracy but they can't get on their feet in the Parliament and defend it in this very Chamber. They haven't taken a single call. Not a single call has been taken by the Green Party who can never again be taken seriously to stand up for democracy and human rights when you cannot get to your feet to defend it in this House of Representatives. So my plea to the Green Party is this: I understand the dirty deal you've done. I understand you've sold your soul. I understand you've gone against the Green youth your party and your founders. At least put a sunset clause in it.Here's the really extraordinary part: the co-leader of the Greens said to a journalist that they'd vote for the repeal of this legislation. Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous? "I'm going to vote a bill on to the books. I'm going to vote a law on to the books of New Zealand but I'm also going to vote it off." Well I say to the Green Party: let's just stop the nonsense."