A major campaign to protect democracy gets underway

PLUS: The most equal countries are the happiest, research finds

Summary:

• A new campaign is calling for reforms to political donations and lobbying in order to “level the playing field” of political influence

• Recent revelations about lobbying and ministers' conflicts of interest suggest such reforms are needed

• A major new study shows the most egalitarian countries in the world are also the happiest

• Other research suggests that widespread disparities help explain the collapses of the Roman and Han empires

Bipartisan campaign to protect government integrity launches ...

A bipartisan campaign announced this week aims to “level the playing field” of political influence by pushing for reforms that would regulate lobbying, political donations and conflicts of interest for decision-makers.

The campaign is led by Health Coalition Aotearoa, the Helen Clark Foundation and Transparency International New Zealand, which is chaired by former National MP Anne Tolley. Also speaking at the launch earlier this week were former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson and Moana Tuwhare (Te Tumu Whakahaere, Te Rūnanga-ā-iwi o Ngāpuhi).

The campaign has a five-point plan to limit undue influence on government, and thus help ensure every New Zealander has an equal opportunity to influence key political decisions: