Do as I say, not as I did
December 24th, 2009 at 4:40 pm by David FarrarTrevor Mallard blogged:
Back in 2000 I was acting Minister of Communication while Paul Swain was sick. I made it very clear at the time that the Crown did not accept that the radio spectrum was an asset that attracted rights for Maori from the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. Frankly I thought, and still think, that that concept is nonsense.
Yet back in 2000 Hansard records:
The Government has decided that preferential bidding access to one of the four 15 megahertz blocks of third generation spectrum will be given only to those parties able to demonstrate some commitment to involve Maori in the development of this spectrum. This is likely to be telecommunications working in partnership with Maori. The third generation spectrum will provide significant opportunities for new investment and technological advancement in New Zealand’s telecommunications sector. The Government considers that it is very important to ensure that Maori can take part in this process.
Now to be clear, Trevor did not say that the telecommunications spectrum was a “right” under the Treaty of Waitangi. But he did advocate policy of preferential access for Maori to it, regardless of treaty claims. That is something he somehow forgot to mention.
Tags: Maori, Trevor Mallard
December 24th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
So bro-partheid preceded the Key coalition.
The allocation of radio frequencies on a race basis is illogical, unfair, and obviously racist.
Vote:December 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I must say that I’ve always felt that if the electromagnetic spectrum is to be carved up we should consider who gets which bits of the rainbow.
Vote:December 24th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Black and White are not colours so I go for Blue
Vote:December 24th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Pardon me if my memory is fallible but I seem to remember Prime Minister Clark stating that taxpayer funding of the embryonic Maori TV channel was required under our Treaty obligations.
Vote:December 24th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
felldownagain
If it would help Helen win an election then she would say it, sign it or deny it.
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 6:54 am
“If it would help Helen win an election then she would say it, sign it or deny it.”
The same can be said of our current Prime Minister or any other spineless politician. They are chameleons ready to change colour depending on the background.
Remind me again of the difference between Clark and Key?
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Manolo – One has a dick, the other is a dick. Your choice.
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Manolo … difference is Key won the election and Clark lost and now Key has over 50% support so perhaps the ‘great unwashed’ see it somewhat differently from you.
Remind me just how much ACT is rating. Remind me too who said when fingered over his use of politician perks “Its my entitlement”.
If your mob don’t like the way the Key Government is taking New Zealand then you should at least have the couerage of your convictions and pack your tent a go and cohabit in a telephone booth somewhere in the dark recesses of Bowen House.
May the spirit of Christmas decend upon you from a great height.
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 9:42 am
There is an old saying that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Just last week Hone Harawira talked about building the “Maori nation”. Last month he lambasted the country’s white citizens with expletive-laden language.
Vote:Now we have government proposals for race-based allocation of valuable radiospectrum. Enough of this nonsense. Prattlings like Harawira’s serve only to perpetuate the blame game instead of placing responsibility where it properly belongs – with individuals themselves. Here is John Key’s first big test – real leadership of NZ – or Chamberlain-type appeasement of the separatist Maori Party?
December 25th, 2009 at 11:37 am
“Remind me just how much ACT is rating.”
Ross, let me remind you I’m not an ACT supporter; it is not “my mob” as you called it.
I’m a libertarian and the first one to criticise Hide for his lack of principles in relation to his blatant abuse of ministerial perks.
Thank you for your Christmas wishes. Same to you and your family.
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Ross is clearly drinking the cool aid, god it makes me nerd rage to see such stupidity.
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Manolo .. clearly I got it wrong for which I apologise. I accept Liberarians are a different animal from the more rabid Actoids who inhabit this site and to whom John Key and the National Party are the devil incarnate while their mob is as pure as the driven snow.
But to be fair this was a blog about Trevor Mallard and you managed to turn it into an attack against John Key.
I don’t turn the other cheek.
And no, I wasn’t referring to Rodders but rather Sir Woger.
Vote:December 25th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
U-turns are a part of politics. That’s fine but it is stupid to do what Mallard did and deny he ever advocated preferential bidding by organisations with Maori involvement. In this day and age, you will get caught out.
Vote: