PM expects Greens to support waka-jumping bill

Jacinda Ardern expects NZ First and the Greens to vote for a waka-jumping bill, though the Greens have yet to pledge support. Photo / Composite

​Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expects the Green Party to vote for a waka-jumping bill that is part of Labour's deal with New Zealand First - but the Greens are refusing to comment.

The bill is part of the Government's 100-day plan and will need the support of the Greens and New Zealand First if National opposes it, which it is expected to.

The Greens have opposed waka-jumping in the past, and an internal email that was accidentally sent to media two weeks ago revealed that the party was considering seeking support for a National Parihaka Day in exchange for its support.

But the idea of horse-trading over the waka-jumping bill was quickly criticised. Justice Minister Andrew Little said it would be "cheap", while NZ First leader Winston Peters said each idea should be considered on its own merits, rather than trying to do a deal.

In her post-Cabinet press conference this afternoon, Ardern said she expected the Greens to support a waka-jumping bill.

"I have an expectation that we will have the support from our coalition and our support partners on that."

A waka-jumping bill would ensure a party's proportional representation in Parliament, if an MP left a party.

Ardern said the discretion in the bill for party leaders to manage their MPs should make it amenable to both NZ First and the Greens.

The bill is expected to have a high threshold for expelling an MP. One suggestion was to have at least two-thirds of caucus support​ before an MP could be kicked out.

But the Greens have said little on the issue since the internal email was made public 11 days ago. The following day, co-leader James Shaw said he needed more information when asked about possible horse-trading over the bill.

Last week a party spokeswoman said the party had no comment. She confirmed this again this evening, when asked for a response to the Prime Minister's expectations of Green support for the bill.

The Greens can oppose government legislation as part of its confidence and supply arrangement with Labour. But the same agreement also binds the Greens to act in good faith and allow Labour to comply with its agreement with NZ First, which specifies passing a waka-jumping bill.
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