KEY POINTS:
The repeal of the vexed Electoral Finance Act looks likely to get unanimous support from the parties in Parliament.
Even the law's architect and staunch defender, Labour, has decided to support dumping it while a replacement is worked out.
Justice Minister Simon Power will introduce legislation tomorrow to
repeal the Electoral Finance Act and reinstate the previous electoral law.
The only vestiges of the EFA to remain will be stricter rules on disclosure of donations - a component introduced by the Green Party which National has decided to retain.
The repeal will be passed under urgency, and will open the way for the Government to work with other parties to frame a replacement.
All parties except the Green Party have said they will support its repeal - and the Greens are leaning towards doing so but are waiting for a briefing from Mr Power today before making a decision.
The decision to support its repeal amounts to the swallowing of a huge dead rat for Labour, which stuck by the law until the election, despite coming under concerted criticism over the details of it and for pushing it through without cross-party support.
Labour leader Phil Goff said its support came after he was assured all parties would be involved in finding a replacement.
He also wanted to ensure that its replacement found the right balance between preventing "Exclusive Brethren-type" campaigns without unduly restricting "bona fide" campaigners.
"If the Government is genuinely interested in doing that, we will likewise work with them in a genuine way to find the best solution."
Mr Goff had moved quickly to admit the act was flawed and needed review after becoming Labour leader.
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said the decision to retain the donations' disclosure rules made him more amenable to the change.
The old electoral law will apply while Mr Power holds discussions with all other parties in Parliament to try to reach a consensus on a new electoral law in time for the next election.
The interim law will apply for any by-elections before that date.
The act was aimed at stamping out secret campaigns such as that by the Exclusive Brethren in 2005. Its most controversial part of the act was the complex "third party" rules covering lobby and interest groups or individuals who wanted to campaign on election issues.
The Human Rights Commission criticised the third party rules, and the Electoral Commission said parts of the act, including the wider definition of election advertising, were almost impossible to interpret.
