8. Question No. 8—JusticeGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 8—JusticeHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know from our dealings with you as we lodge questions each day that you are somewhat of a stickler for the grammar that goes into questions so I wonder if you can give us some clarification about the meaning of this particular question? Is it a case where for" should perhaps be "by" or does it simply mean a ban on New Zealanders voting for prisoners?SPEAKER: In this particular case I take full responsibility for the grammar in the question which is about a quarter of the length of the one which was lodged.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: Well it doesn't help us. What's the question?SPEAKER: No well it should be "by" and it's my fault because I took about three-quarters of the wording out of the question that was lodged. All right? I apologise to the member for embarrassing her in front of the House by rewording her question in a way which was not up to my normal standards.Hon Christopher Finlayson: Write it out a hundred times.SPEAKER: Mr Finlayson you can include that in your valedictory if you want to be in the House on the 18th.8. GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of Justice: Will he commit to overturning the ban on voting for people in prison?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police) on behalf of the Minister of Justice: On behalf of the Minister of Justice the Supreme Court decision was that the 2010 ban on prisoner voting is inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. The first efforts of the Government to consider the Supreme Court ruling have regard to declarations of inconsistency. Every now and again Parliament does pass a law that isn't consistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Earlier this year Cabinet agreed in principle that the senior court should have the power to declare legislation inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act and to provide a mechanism for the Government and Parliament to respond. We are continuing this work. On prisoner voting rights while we understand the issue the Government is yet to consider it and it is not a priority for the time being. The Government is committed to reforming the criminal justice system and this takes priority for now.Golriz Ghahraman: Does the Minister agree with a 2014 statement from then New Zealand First justice spokesperson Denis O'Rourke who said "Prisoners should have the right to vote. When people are sentenced to prison their punishment is imprisonment; it's not the loss of human rights or democratic rights."?Hon STUART NASH: On behalf of the Minister Denis O'Rourke is a good man and I do agree with him but as mentioned this issue is not our number one priority at this stage—reforming the criminal justice system is and we look forward to working with the Green Party in really making a difference in this space.Golriz Ghahraman: Does the Minister agree with his own 2014 statement on people in prison voting "The current law in our view is wrong and it needs to be changed and we will change it."?Hon STUART NASH: On behalf of the Minister as an MP of course I agree with statements I have made; however speaking as a Minister this Government has not had a discussion around this issue and therefore does not have a position.Golriz Ghahraman: Does the Minister agree with National Party MP Harete Hipango who said during a 25 October public hearing of the Justice Committee that she supported people in prisons voting because the current law was an impediment to Māori engagement in the electoral system?Hon STUART NASH: On behalf of the Minister the decision in 2010 to ban all prisoners from voting was led by the National Government and the National Party. Therefore I can only assume that the member is very disappointed in her own party. The legislation was passed despite no doubt very wise and considered counsel from the former Attorney-General but ignored which is very disappointing.Hon Judith Collins: Private member's bill!Golriz Ghahraman: Given support from across the political spectrum—Hon Amy Adams: You're the Government now; you can change it!SPEAKER: Order! Both of you—two senior members. Start again please.Golriz Ghahraman: Thank you Mr Speaker. Given support from across the political spectrum and the New Zealand Supreme Court's unprecedented declaration that banning people in prisons from voting is a breach of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act will the Government introduce a bill to reinstate people's right to vote?Hon STUART NASH: On behalf of the Minister as the Government has not had that discussion yet it would be inappropriate for me to express a view on behalf of the coalition but as stated this Government is committed to broader criminal justice reform which will have a positive impact—SPEAKER: Order! We've had that before and the member has answered the question."