National to ditch citizen's panel

ONE NEWS: National is planning to scrap a panel set up to review electoral laws.

The Government has appointed three academic experts to the panel to examine existing laws and consider public views through a citizens forum.

But National deputy leader Bill English says something like this should be done through a select committee, with representation from all parties.

He says when it is run by only one or two parties, in this case Labour and the Greens, it will always be shaped for their interests.

English says that is what happened with the Electoral Finance Act.

He claims the panel shows the Greens and Labour have learnt nothing from the controversy of the last three years.

While English admits law experts should be used to advise politicians, he says parties need to be involved in the actual process.

The idea for the panel was first established when Labour was negotiating for the Greens' support for the Electoral Finance Bill.

In the meantime, it is expected to commence work immediately. The panel head is Otago Associate Law Professor Andrew Geddis, an expert in electoral administration and political party funding. Other appointments include Stephen Levine and Jean Drage.