We need help on big issues

Next year’s general election just got a whole lot more complicated, voters. Not only will we be drowned in the usual tub-thumping rhetoric and ‘‘pick me’’ bluster that comes with a national election, but we’re now going to be caught up in a maelstrom of two referendums.

The first follows last week’s historic decision in Parliament to allow a referendum on voluntary euthanasia; the second is on the regulation of cannabis.

These two issues – not to mention a general election – are major, and, if followed through the way that is seemingly expected, will fundamentally change New Zealand.

Both need, and deserve, enough time and information for us to get to grips with them, if we’re being asked to vote on them.

For those of you who read my column regularly, you’ll know that I have already developed an aversion to referendums since watching the damage done to the United Kingdom over the farce that is Brexit.

That’s been a great example of what happens if you ask people to vote on issues when they really have no clue what’s going on and don’t have the time, access or the will to search out enough information to make a good decision.

I know we all have a duty to make ourselves fully aware of these issues, but most of us won’t, because we have other stuff going on. We’ll get half informed and go with our gut instinct when faced with the moment we have to put an ‘‘x’’ in the box.

Those who shout loudest, have the deepest pockets and have the least regard for truth will do well, if the UK is anything to go by.

I can’t think of two more emotive issues for the public to decide on than death and drugs.

Groups who want the vote to go one way will become more strident, vocal, political and polarised; as will those on the opposing side.

Both viewpoints may be valid, but polarised behaviour is how referendums work – they push people into opposing positions where they start shouting over each other to make their points heard so they can ‘‘win’’.

And politicians will be at the forefront of this as they jump on these issues to get air-time, increase their profile and, of course, gain votes.

These are huge issues to decide on and people will feel really strongly: just look at the interest already in the euthanasia bill.

The End of Life Choice Bill passed by a relatively slim margin of 69 votes to 51, after two years of fierce arguments. It gained a record 39,000 submissions from the public during its passage through Parliament.

By comparison, legalising cannabis will probably become an also-ran issue when put into a two-horse referendum race with euthanasia, but it deserves a thorough hearing in its own right.

These issues need plenty of clear air to be properly considered by the general public, who are being asked to vote on them.

This is all aside from a general election, which is when we have to work out who we want to run the country.

And that’s a whole can of worms for us: getting to the bottom of issues around education, health, the economy, housing. That list goes on and on.

My plea, though I’m sure no-one will hear it, is that if we want informed debate and voting behaviour, then the Government needs to invest some serious time and money into ensuring we lesser mortals fully understand what it is we’re voting on.