MMP as we see it !

MMP was the choice of the people mainly , we believe , not so much as a reaction against politicians but as a reaction to the big business promotion of Better Government by Peter Shirtcliffe . Remember the insistence that they were not there just for the debate about MMP but would be there for ever after , no matter the outcome of the referendum.

Well MMP arrived - initially we had the ten week or so saga while NZ First decided with whom to form a coalition. We then had the continuing saga of Tuku Morgan underpants and all , scuffles in the corridors of power between Banks and Peters , the expensive trip to Paris by the then last ranked Minister to view internet , revelations of enormous taxi costs for one member by perk buster Hyde , a Parliamentary debating chamber where the behavoir resembles that of an unruly fourth form at St Trinians and very little legislation of note passed .

The much hoped for consensus was notable only by its absence as politicians remained divided on party lines and continued to score nonsensical points off each other as point after point of order is raised in the House - question time can only be described as a complete shambles as anyone listening to Parliament will testify - no wonder one of the more notable participants called it a brutalising arena , but it must be more humiliating than brutalising to be there and be part of the adult children at play .

The maiden speeches by the new members were quite varied , some good some mediocre , but the most unusual circumstance was the hakas and the chanting that were permitted in the visitors gallery for the new members before their speeches . It was not so long ago that admission was refused to those not wearing a jacket and even a walking stick or rolled up newspaper was banned . Incidentally when the gallery demonstrated during the hearing of the Kindergarten Teachers Bill , they were quickly ejected so that it appears that just some kind of noises are permitted .

The coalition was eventually disbanded with some members of NZ First remaining with the party but others choosing to become independents or members of the Mauri Pacific party . In an unashamed and brazen desire to maintain power the government kept the dissidents in their previous status , in some cases as Ministers.

The shame of MMP is that these MPs whose entry to Parliament was facilitated by the party vote for NZ First and also Alliance having deserted the party that placed them in Parliament , remained there supporting a minority government . In an unashamed wish to retain privilege those remaining were allowed to retain their previous status which in some cases was as Ministers of the Crown.

However since its introduction MMP has settled down and has in fact been beneficial to teh elderly

MMP has been kind to the elderly in that it has forced the two main parties to give concessions

• The first ill-fated coalition National-New Zealand First removed surcharge from the payment of superannuation
• The Labour Aliance coalition gave us a restoration of the level of the married rate of New Zealand Superannuation to 65% of the nett average after tax ordinary time weekly wage as it had been decreased to 60% by the previous government at the beginning of the three year term and not as the Labour government wished at the end of the term
• The Labour / Progressive coalition gave us teh reduced prescription fees and lower GP fees
• The current supply and confidence agreement with labour with United Future was a commmittment to use private facilities for publicly funded operations
• NEw Zeakland First secured raising of teh level of NZS to 66%
• a gold card giving senior citizens access to public services and discounts
• a 1000 more sworn police
• increase minimum wage to $12.00

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