Peters Jim: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Peters Jim: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:621;Page:16395] 
11.  
JIM PETERS (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Local Government 
: Is he satisfied there was adequate preparation to ensure electors would be fully informed regarding the STV style of voting in the latest local body elections; if so why have there been so many problems? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 Yes but frankly the delay in some of the results caused by a failure of this magnitude in the contractor’s software systems was not anticipated. 
Jim Peters 
: Has the Minister read today’s  
Taranaki Daily News 
 which notes: “In Afghanistan donkeys carrying ballots continue to step along winding mountain footpaths almost matching the computers calculating winners in New Zealand.”; if so will this Government-organised final election result be announced ahead of Kabul’s and should following this electoral shambles the Minister still be Minister will his ministry give further consideration to the “ADS” system—the Afghan donkey service? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: No I have not read the article but I can assure the member that I will read the report the Justice and Electoral Committee will prepare on this with keen interest. 
Dave Hereora 
: What has the Government done to promote public understanding of the single transferable vote (STV) system? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The Government allocated $1.2 million to a public information campaign to help electors understand how to cast an STV vote. The campaign conveyed that message through television radio and press advertising. There was also a website media publicity interviews and brochures in seven languages. 
Sandra Goudie 
: Why will the Minister not take responsibility for the voting shambles given that he was specifically voted money to ensure the successful application of the STV system which was described in the July 2003 Estimates examination as “a critical current issue faced by Government”. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The questioner seems to be confused between the accuracy of the STV calculator and the failure of software. There is no question but that the STV calculator has worked perfectly. 
Rod Donald 
: Does the Minister now regret that he failed to respond to and failed to act on the Justice and Electoral Committee’s 2001 inquiry into the 2001 local elections which unanimously recommended that an Electoral Commission - type body is needed to provide a voter education programme and to act as a monitor of local authorities’ electoral practices; if not why not? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The issues the member raises will be looked at by the Justice and Electoral Committee. I look forward to reading its recommendations. 
Dail Jones 
: Will the Minister be prepared to attend the hearing of the Justice and Electoral Committee himself and will he be ready to accept the decision of the committee if it finds that he was responsible for the total farce and failure of the recent local body elections; and will he resign as a result? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I will of course cooperate fully with the select committee in its inquiry. 
Sandra Goudie 
: I seek leave to table the Vote Local Government estimates examination in which the successful application of the STV system is described as a critical issue faced by Government. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is.