Petitions can have an impact

Most petitions to Parliament achieve little as they are raising a policy issue that MPs are divided on, and hence won’t lead to any change.

But some petitions can lead to change, and even lead to a debate in the House as happened to the petition of Claire Dale about mobility parks. It was debated in the House on Thursday and the recommendations from the Petitions Committee supported by all parties and the Government.

It is a useful reminder that disagreeing on many policy issues doesn’t mean MPs won’t work together in other areas where the common goal is to improve things for New Zealanders.