MMP defector MP - info

[Tom Round]

Hi Marcus. I've got a request for information for you ... I recently read in the newspaper here that there's some controversy in NZ because an MP elected for one party has defected to another. It's apparently particularly controversial because she was elected for a list seat, not for a local electorate. Thus there have been calls for her to resign as a matter of conscience, or for the law to be changed so that in such cases MPs have to vacate automatically.

Unfortunately I forgot to bring the relevant clipping to Brisbane with me, but I'm assuming that you'll know the case I'm talking about. I'm thinking of writing a piece (either academic, or maybe just journalistic) likening this case with the situation of Senator Colston in Australia, and with provisions in a number of "Third World"/ developing nation Consitutions (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and now South Africa) which provide for automatic unseatment of MPs who defect from their party or are expelled.

Any ifnormation - news reports, even just discussions you've heard yourself  - that you could, at your convenience, forward to me, would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Tom

-------------------
Overflow-Cc: 100245.2440 at compuserve.com ('Geoff Powell'),
   afreeman at acslink.net.au ('Andrew Freeman'),
   BMusidla at email.dot.gov.au ('Bogey M (gov)'),
   crabb.deane at wpo.pi.sa.gov.au (crabb.deane),
   dunnmj at ozemail.com.au ('Martin Dunn'),
   election-methods-list at eskimo.com ('Election methods'),
   ers at reform.demon.co.uk ('Electoral Reform Soc of GB & NI'),
   G.Orr at law.gu.edu.au (Graeme Orr),
   GeoffPowell at compuserve.com ('Powell, Geoffrey'),
   ggoode at rie.net.au ('Geoff Goode (SMTP)'),
   GGoode at vtrlmel1.telstra.com.au (Goode, Geoff),
   hgnsw at zip.com.au ('John Webber'),
   info at int-idea.se ('I.D.E.A'),
   j.pyke at qut.edu.au (John Pyke, QUT Law School),
   jhtaplin at cygnus.uwa.edu.au ('John Taplin'),
   martinw at cse.unsw.edu.au ('Martin Willis'),
   mdt at ozemail.com.au ('Matthew Townsend'),
   ozeurjaz at ozemail.com.au ('Hank van Leeuwen')