Brown SimeonSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga): Thank you very much Madam Chair for the opportunity to speak to one of my Supplementary Order Papers which I have tabled in regards to the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill which is currently being debated here in the committee stage. My Supplementary Order Paper 64 which I would like to discuss and propose—and I propose it with integrity. I also propose it with the hope that this Government will pick it up because I hope that it will go towards their goal of openness and transparency which they have spoken about with such high ideals since coming into Government.So my Supplementary Order Paper amends clause 5 by inserting new section 55D(ca) after paragraph (c) which states that parliamentary members of the party agreeing under paragraph (c) have done so by way of [a] secret ballot;". Now members will note that in clause 5 under section 55D(c) it states "that after consideration of the conduct of the member and his or her response … by the parliamentary members of the political party for which the member was elected the parliamentary leader of that party confirms that at least two-thirds of the parliamentary members of [the] party agree that written notice should be given by the parliamentary leader". Now members will note that it says "at least two-thirds of the parliamentary members of that party agree". This bill as it is currently drafted and as the Minister Andrew Little will understand does not define how that two-thirds majority of parliamentary members of that party must then be shown to the Speaker of the House. It does not show how the party leader is to provide that evidence.There is a clear gap here in the bill which requires transparency but also it should be done in a way which allows individual members of the party in the party room to be able to make a free choice. When I go to the ballot box every election and as New Zealanders go to the ballot box each election we do so by way of a secret ballot. I walk into the booth New Zealanders walk into the booth and it is a secret ballot. What this Supplementary Order Paper ensures is that when MPs are in the party room and are being asked to vote on whether one of their members should be expelled that vote should be done by way of a secret ballot. What that does is that ensures and provides a greater level of accountability that the process is not one by which the leader of the political party is forcing his or her will upon the members of their caucus and allows those members to give a free vote based upon their conscience. I would argue that this is incredibly important in a parliamentary democracy and inside all of the caucuses that we have here in Parliament. What this does is ensure that we don't have these decisions being made behind closed doors and potentially in the vape-filled rooms of the Green Party where we don't understand what the processes might be but this ensures that the parliamentary caucuses have to have a secret ballot whereby these votes are undertaken.I hope the Government and I hope the Minister will take this Supplementary Order Paper up because I believe it is not just something which is about scoring a political point. This is about actually proposing an idea which will make—if this legislation is passed. We will not be voting for it but if it is passed it should be done in a way which is more open more transparent and in a way which protects the integrity and the individual freedoms of members of Parliament. That is why I am proposing this Supplementary Order Paper which will do just that.So my question to the Minister is: how can he ensure for the House and New Zealanders and in fact the democracy of New Zealand that we will not be seeing party leaders in essence forcing their members to make a decision? How will he ensure that they're not being forced? How will he ensure that they are making free decisions behind those closed doors? My suggestion is that a free vote a secret ballot being required and then being proven is something which will do just that. Thank you very much Madam Chair."