Politics blog week of 21/07
Deputy PM says electoral law change will only impact 'drop kicks'
Ministers have just answered questions about the just-announced electoral law change that will stop people from being able to enrol to vote on election day.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour dismissed concerns that this would unduly limit the ability for New Zealanders to vote, saying it would impact only "drop kicks".
"Frankly, I'm a bit sick of drop kicks that can't get themselves organised to follow the law - registering to vote is a legal requirement - then going along and voting to tax away hard working people's money," Seymour said.
I asked him if it was fair to call those people "drop kicks", given people are busy with work - which pays for the Government's taxes. Is it fair to expect them to keep on top of admin like this?
Seymour said it was.
"Well, there's about 1000 days between elections. If they're working for 1000 days straight, then I'll go and register for them. But for everyone else, I think you could probably find some time to go online for a few minutes and register to vote," he replied.
The law change will also mean that people who have recently moved home will not be able to change their address within the two weeks leading to an election.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour dismissed concerns that this would unduly limit the ability for New Zealanders to vote, saying it would impact only "drop kicks".
"Frankly, I'm a bit sick of drop kicks that can't get themselves organised to follow the law - registering to vote is a legal requirement - then going along and voting to tax away hard working people's money," Seymour said.
I asked him if it was fair to call those people "drop kicks", given people are busy with work - which pays for the Government's taxes. Is it fair to expect them to keep on top of admin like this?
Seymour said it was.
"Well, there's about 1000 days between elections. If they're working for 1000 days straight, then I'll go and register for them. But for everyone else, I think you could probably find some time to go online for a few minutes and register to vote," he replied.
The law change will also mean that people who have recently moved home will not be able to change their address within the two weeks leading to an election.