7. Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does he stand by his recent comments about proposed changes to the Foreshore and Seabed Act that “I don’t think people will notice a lot of change.”?
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes, because for most New Zealanders public access to the seabed and foreshore will be protected. But for those who gain the right to access the courts again, it will be a significant change.
Hon Parekura Horomia Link to this
How can the Prime Minister reconcile that comment with the comment made by the Hon Pita Sharples on Checkpoint yesterday that this is very different to the current law?
This whole issue has arisen because of different points of view about what it means for the Crown to have designated ownership of the seabed and foreshore, or for it to be available for claims in customary rights. For those—
Hon Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Once again, we cannot hear what the Minister is saying. Nothing provocative is being said—[ Interruption]
Mr SPEAKERA point of order is being heard and there will not be interjection. I have heard the member’s point of order and it is a perfectly fair point of order. There was absolutely unnecessary noise—from the Opposition benches on this occasion. The Minister was not being provocative. He was asked a serious question and was answering it.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I invite you to listen to the tape of what Rodney Hide said. First of all, he said that he could not hear the Minister, and then he said that nothing provocative was being said. Both cannot be true.
There is no need to take this matter any further. I am not going to take the matter any further. The member had asked a question, and the Hon Bill English was answering. The question asked how the Minister reconciles some things and the Minister was explaining how he reconciles those things.
Those statements illustrate the challenge of finding a lasting solution to this issue. The fact is that it will look different depending on one’s point of view. Under the proposals in the discussion document, for most New Zealanders there will be little change because their interest in the seabed and foreshore consists of access to it, and that will not change. But many Māori want the opportunity to test their customary rights, and I think Labour members just have to accept that the bill they passed did not amount to a lasting solution. I hope they can apply themselves to finding a lasting solution this time, because last time they failed.
Hon Parekura Horomia Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I could not quite hear. Did he just say that there would be little change?
If the member—[ Interruption] A point of order is being heard. If the member could not hear, he has only his colleagues to blame. I invite the Hon David Parker to ask a supplementary question, and I ask members to have a little more reasonableness with interjections.
Hon David ParkerDoes the Prime Minister stand by his position, reported on page 1 of the Dominion Post this morning, that the Government would stick with the status quo if agreement could not be reached?