The decisions of Parliament sometimes mean we are stuck with directions and decisions that we do not like, but must follow.
A group headed by Grey Power recently expressed frustration with the Government’s intention to sell a percentage of New Zealand’s state-owned power companies. They intend to seek a citizens’ initiated referendum on the subject, in the hope of seeing the government change the course of action.
Their opposition has raised some important questions about what the government is entitled to do, and how citizens should handle their disagreement with government. Despite popular opinion, it is not the government’s job to simply do what majority wants.
Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russell Norman, in agreement with the group, said, “A citizens’ initiated referendum is far from a perfect tool; it would be better to have a binding referendum but we are using what we have got.”
A citizens’ initiated referendum gives the public a voice on what course of action the government should take. The outcomes of such referenda can put pressure on the government, but the government is still free to ignore the result and choose what they think is in New Zealand’s best interests. A “binding” referendum, in contrast, would be one in which the government had to follow whichever course of action was the most popular.
Educating people
This is very appealing to Dr Norman and others who argue that surely in a democracy the government should do what the majority wants, but that is not usually how our political system is supposed to work.
Representative democracy involves electing people who will carefully consider what is in the country’s best interest and make decisions accordingly, not necessarily doing what is most popular.
Dr Norman’s appeal to binding referenda assumes that the majority should rule.
In a sense, this is right, but under our system that rule happens through representation. There are good reasons why our laws are made through MPs instead of opinion polls and referenda.
For example, most of us cannot and do not have a detailed understanding of all the factors involved in every law or policy. We elect particular people to take the time and care to deliberate on our behalf and act in our best interest.
Should the government listen to the will of the public through a citizens’ initiated referendum?
Definitely.
But should they decide what is best for New Zealand based on popular opinion enforced by a binding referendum?
Most certainly not.
Wisdom of choice
Political leadership is more than just collecting majority decisions. It requires wisdom to identify when popular opinion is correct and when it is not and political leaders should have freedom to make this judgement.
Admittedly, Parliament does not always look very wise. But equally, the wisest course of action is not always the one that gains popular appeal.
The government is often tasked with making difficult and unpopular decisions that we would rather not have to face.
Every three years we have a chance to hold our representatives to account and to place the responsibility to govern in new hands if it has not been well handled.
This is where the accountability of government lies, not in binding MPs to the blunt instrument of a binding referendum.
