Herald on Seabed & Foreshore
The Herald editorial:
John Key struck an optimistic note as he confirmed that the foreshore and seabed law would almost certainly be repealed and a replacement found. “I think this is not as difficult as everyone says. I’m not saying it’s not challenging. But it’s not impossible,” he said.
The challenge is what is in the replacement.
Mr Key has pointed out that there is still the option of repealing the law with no replacement. This would mean a return to the status quo and allow claimants to test cases in the Maori Land Court and the High Court.
While it is an unlikely option, it makes a big difference that it is not ruled out from the beginning. This means that any agreed solution is deemed preferable to simply repealing the law.
The Maori Party expects a replacement policy by the end of this term of government. Labour has pledged to act constructively. The bottom line for the Government will be New Zealanders’ continued unfettered access to the beach. The Maori Party will have ease of recognition of customary rights as its top priority.
That suggests claims will be kept out of the hands of judges, and this will be a process of tinkering, not transformation. The change will probably be minor. But tackling them in a wholly different atmosphere will be a major improvement.
I’m not sure how major or minor any changes will be, but a genuine negotiations does produce better outcomes that insisting from the beginning that retrospective legislation will apply.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Is anyone else appalled at the lies, smears and sneers in Brian Rudman’s article in todays NZ Herald?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10607079
What a jerk-off!!!
November 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Also, a constructive opposition will produce better outcomes than a lying racist opposition.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Got to the third paragraph and switched off swiftman, he should be writing for a gossip magazine.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
“Labour has pledged to act constructively.”
has Goff recently bought a supply of very short and sturdy leashes?
November 4th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
How come if the seabed and foreshore legislation is not too tricky to repeal and reinstate in a different form, the smacking legislation is?
November 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
That’s easy, one will fester & worsen if unaddressed, the other will quietly fade away.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
llew
Not a good enough reason to dismiss democracy in this country.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
“Labour has pledged to act constructively.”
Labour never has had any honesty or morality. How can they spit in the face of their late, greatly venerated leader and reach a compromise with the “haters and wreckers”.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_story_skin/424042%3Fformat=html
November 4th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Maybe not, that’s my take on how come though.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hey llew
You look positively maniacal in that banana outfit! haha. Nice blog.
(Sorry everyone, off post)
November 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Whoa, unfettered access why the change ? we do not get unfettered access to foreshore beaches held in fee simple by Maori or Pakeha.
Will they change the law to make ALL the foreshore available to ALL the people in NZ ? somehow I have my doubts.