ACT is urging other political parties to let their MPs vote freely on whether to keep tight trade restrictions around Easter.
Lawmakers will soon be able to vote on ACT MP Cameron Luxton’s bill to ease the existing restrictions.
Party leaders usually direct their party’s MPs to vote in certain ways in Parliament — but in some cases, they don’t.
“The Speaker has made debate on my bill a conscience vote, meaning party leaders have the option of allowing individual MPs to vote freely according to their own values,” Luxton said this morning.
“The long-standing convention for legislation touching on alcohol or religion is that MPs are given the chance to listen to their communities and consult with their own conscience, free from the whipping of party leadership.
“Democracy is healthier when elected officials are given opportunities to display their personal beliefs.”
Voting could begin as soon as three weeks from now on the Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill, he added.
“Voters ought to understand who represents them, so it would be a great shame if MPs are allowed to hide behind the shield of a collective vote,” Luxton said. “I don’t believe Easter Trading is a partisan issue.
“Modernising Easter trading is a cause that has support from Kiwis across the political spectrum, and my bill ensures that trading rules are liberalised while existing protections for workers are extended.”