7. HONE HARAWIRA (Independent—Te Tai Tokerau) Link to this
to the Attorney-General
Is he satisfied that he has the support required for the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill to pass into law?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) Link to this
The bill has passed through all stages up to and including the Committee of the whole House last night. Ultimately, whether the bill passes its third reading is up to the will of Parliament.
Does he accept that the withdrawal of support from 95 percent of the Iwi Leaders Group, the fact that only 1 percent of the submissions from Māori organisations actually supported the bill, and the unmistakable message from the hīkoi opposing the bill confirm the fact that Māori support for it is minimal, and that by pushing ahead with it he may actually be jeopardising the future of National’s coalition partner, the Māori Party?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
With the greatest of respect to the member, I think he may be misrepresenting the level of support within Māoridom. Just today I have received a couple of messages from the iwi leaders telling me they support the legislation, and they also support the Māori Party’s very principled position on the legislation.
Does the Minister agree that if he were to change the name of the bill to the “Taku Tāhae Moana Bill”, or “My Stolen Seabed Bill”, he might find that instead of 90 percent of Māoridom opposing this bill, he might get 100 percent agreeing with the title, at least?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
No, I do not think that changing the name of the bill would do anything. This is a good bill. Most parties in this Parliament are agreed on the key aspects of it. Where the parties disagree is on the issue of codification of tests and whether one can negotiate agreements, and that is where it stays.
Hon John Boscawen Link to this
What concrete evidence can he show the House that the bill has “wide support” from the public—the key requirement set down by the Prime Minister?
Hon Shane JonesHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
The concrete support, I say to Mr Jones and Mr Boscawen, of those who believe that the right of access to justice for Māori, which was taken away in 2004 and which all parties now say should be restored, is something that is extremely important. If they want me to provide actual numbers of that, well, that is an impossibility.
Hon John Boscawen Link to this
Given that he has just acknowledged that he cannot provide concrete evidence of wide public support, can he advise when the Prime Minister told him that he need no longer worry about securing wide public support?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
I disagree with the premise of the member’s question; it is mischievous and wrong.