Lee Melissa; Dyson RuthMELISSA LEE (National): That's OK. Thank you Madam Speaker and I understood that was the case because I was actually lined up to speak for five minutes so I knew exactly where I was. It's a pleasure to rise in the second reading. Earlier one of my colleagues had actually said that what happens in a second reading process is that we come back from a select committee process to speak about the submissions that have happened and we listen to the submitters and reflect on their commentary in terms of the legislation that is before us. But unfortunately because of the process today—I mean when I came to Parliament this week I had no idea that we were to have an urgency motion and debate this particular bill so I had no idea. So here we are doing the second reading on the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) and all its stages. I know that my colleague earlier mentioned Golriz Ghahraman. I was listening to Ms Ghahraman's speech and one thing she mentioned which I completely agree with in a sense. She said We do not want"—and I hope I'm getting the quote right—"democracy bought on the open market." I don't think anyone in this House wants that. We do not want foreign interests or Governments influencing New Zealand's political process or democracy. However having said that when you put the boot on the other foot and you think about what she actually says I sort of wonder did the Green Party sell out in this process. I'm not talking about legislation; I'm talking about the process. Now that they're in bed with the Labour-led Government and they are part of this Government they are OK about the truncated process of an urgency motion where we're talking about the democratic process especially the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2). They would have never ever agreed to this process earlier but now they're part of the Government so now they're OK with it. So does that mean that they've actually sold out and does that mean that perhaps Ms Golriz Ghahraman should put a mirror in front of her face when she says "We don't want democracy bought on the open market."? They've sold out because they have decided the champions of process in this House—I mean this is my fourth term and in all the time that I've been here I've never known the Green Party to ever agree to an urgency motion expect now they're in Government and they have actually sold out. This piece of legislation—as I have actually alluded to in the first reading process—our party is in agreement on. I mean obviously there will be certain things that we'll be discussing during the committee of the whole House stage. We do not want the foreign influence—I know earlier some people said they didn't want to use the word "foreign". Well it is exactly what it is—it's foreign. We don't want foreign influence. We don't want foreign Governments to try and influence the process of New Zealand's democracy. We do not want foreign States to perhaps influence the process that we have in this Government by donating money. Restricting their donations is a good thing. As I said why limit it to just under $50? Why not get rid of it completely? Ban it. We don't have a problem with that. Earlier one of my colleagues said it is actually the Green Party who have the majority of the overseas donations. Perhaps they should be the ones who should actually seriously think about why they are supporting this bill. In terms of the tangible impact this bill will have in terms of the foreign donations how much of an influence would they actually have on the political parties? I would say very minimal because as my colleagues have said—and it has actually been admitted in this House—not a lot of members or parties receive donations from overseas entities. The actual principle of wanting to ban foreign Governments from influencing New Zealand's political process our democracy and the democratic process is a good idea. What we object to is the process in which this whole thing is being rammed down our throats and rushed through this Parliament without the public's commentary without a submissions process and I think they should be ashamed. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): Split call—Jami-Lee Ross."