Referendums Framework Bill

Thank you, Mr Chair. Just resuming, obviously, this committee stage of the Referendums Framework Bill—and specifically the repeal section at clause 3. What we’ve looked at previously—and I believe it was last night at the point that we finished the discussion—was around the timing and also the very fact of the need, or disputed proposition that there be a need, for a repeal. I did wonder if the Minister of Justice could comment on the choice of word, actually, to talk about a “repeal” as opposed to an “abatement” or perhaps some other more neutral language that might talk about it no longer having effect, given that, as we’ve already discussed, we’ve seen a situation where, in fact, it’ll be, effectively, null and void in any case. So my question, really, is why it would be that we would formally repeal a piece of legislation that’ll have no meaningful effect after the next general election in any case. So if we could have the Minister sort of provide some further comment on that, that would be very helpful indeed.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I am somewhat curious about the National Party Opposition’s strategy on this bill, which is to denounce it, to say how horrible it is—“We should never have it; it’s a breach of the constitution.”—and then, in relation to the repeal clause, say “Why have we got a repeal clause?” It would be good if they would make up their minds, but it is there because this bill was conceived for the purposes of the 2020 general election only, and the referendums that this Government plans to run in relation to that general election.

It is clear from the submissions received by the Justice Committee in response to this bill that there are a lot of people saying, “Look, we ought to have a standing referendum frameworks piece of legislation.” I agree with that. I’d like there to be a longer period of time for consideration, both by officials and by the public at large and by Parliament, to do that. This has been conceived for, as I say, that single purpose for the 2020 general election, and I look forward to that member’s support in a future Parliament for the development of a standing referendum frameworks piece of legislation.