Bill advocates consultative debate on new flag

Labour MP Charles Chauvel’s New Zealand Flag Bill, in the ballot for Member’s Bills today, advocates a wide-ranging, consultative debate on a new flag for New Zealand.

“The Bill will create a commission, which must spend 18 months seeking wide public input into the question of whether we should adopt a new national flag,” Charles Chauvel says.

“The commission will be appointed by the Prime Minister after consulting all party leaders in Parliament.

“As part of its functions, it will hold a nationwide competition for new flag designs, ranking the three that best reflect New Zealand’s national identity, aspirations, culture and heritage,” Charles Chauvel says.

“Under the bill, a referendum would then be held, in which all voters would have the opportunity to say whether they wanted to retain the current flag, or adopt one of the three designs arising from the public competition.

“I think it is timely to have a debate about New Zealand’s flag. That debate should be properly resourced, involve widespread consultation, and be respectful,” Charles Chauvel said.

“Only a publicly-funded and run process can hope to ensure these three outcomes.”

ENDS

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