Fitzimons rejects waka jumping bill

supported it through its first reading but has expressed doubts about it since. It is understood the party’s negotiators were not aware of the bill being a part of the NZ First coalition agreement when they signed their agreement with Labour, but are obliged to support any Government legislation they had not specifically flagged opposition to.

Fitzsimons, who was part of the negotiating team and co-led on the bill instead of voting against it.

Fitzsimons noted she had voted against similar bills four times before.

‘‘Integrity cannot be legislated for. It is a matter of conscience and judgment,’’ she said. ‘‘This bill offends the freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and freedom of association.’’

She said parties were only important as bureaucratic structures giving effect to ‘‘coherent political philosophies’’.

‘‘A party is not what matters. What a party stands for is what matters,’’ Fitzsimons said. ‘‘If my party started voting for the death penalty or the invasion of foreign countries or a massive increase in the use of fossil fuels, I’d leave it, and might even start a new party.’’

National’s Nick Smith, who has led the charge against the bill, said the Government should withdraw it.

‘‘There was not a single submission that supported the Bill’s purpose to allow a party leader to dismiss an elected constituency MP, and only two supporting the provision for list MPS,’’ Smith said.