Mr Dunne, who was deputy chair of the committee, says many people will be upset that the committee has recommended no reduction in the numbers of MPs, and does not favour a further referendum on MMP.

“I agree completely with them and am bitterly disappointed that the majority of other parties on the committee did not share United Future’s support for fewer MPs and a fresh referendum on the committee’s findings.”

“Those are the matter that go to the heart of many people’s concerns about MMP, which will not therefore be alleviated by this report.”

“These decisions, especially the one regarding the referendum, will leave many New Zealanders feeling more powerless and shut out of the decision-making process.”

“I firmly believe that the electoral system belongs to the people of New Zealand and that it is ultimately the people who must sanction it.”

“A referendum would have provided that opportunity, and by denying it to them, the other parties on the committee who made that decision risk fuelling public cynicism and suspicion,” he says.

Mr Dunne says New Zealand cannot afford continuing uncertainty over its electoral system.

“The review was an opportunity to provide some closure on the MMP issue.”

“However, by failing to pick up on the two issues of greatest public concern, I fear it may well have failed that opportunity,” he says.

ENDS