MND wary of draft constitution

The MND disagreed with the draft’s proposal for an Executive President, to be elected by Parliament, who would function as both Head of State and Head of Government. “If there is to be an Executive President, an office the MND is not in favour of, the Executive President should be elected by the entire population where each vote is counted towards this result.” The MND found little favour in the draft’s proposal that some Senators be elected by Local Government bodies and by some unknown form of proportional representation.

The MND referred to Manning’s stated intention to place in the Senate local council mayors and chairmen, who are not elected by popular vote but rather are chosen by each council’s elected councillors.

“This makes a mockery of Local Government and our democracy.”

In contrast, the MND preferred to see Senators elected by proportional representation and also to comprise representatives of every major organisation representing religion, business, labour, NGOs and youth.

The MND disagreed with the draft’s plan for very few Cabinet members to be drawn from both Houses of Parliament and for most to come from the general public.

“This system would allow Cabinet Ministers to be outside the scrutiny of Parliament, and would only create even more arrogant and corrupt Ministers than exist at present.”

Perhaps the loudest MND objection came to the draft’s idea that the Executive President should appoint top office holders like the Chief Justice and Commissioner of Police.

“The MND is completely opposed to this idea. All such offices should be appointed by special majority. This is how our democracy can be strengthened.”

The MND said Local Government should not be stripped of its duties to maintain local roads and drains but should be given more funds to carry out more functions.

“Local Government should then be allowed to be responsible for local housing, education, healthcare, maintenance, and development of physical infrastructure, local policing, other Government services and other community based activities,” MND stated.