Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 8, 2023 7:28:21 GMT 12
Mary-Louise Kearney: DEMOCRACY - THE REAL RESET
An open letter to the leaders of National, ACT and NZ First
......But, as you will agree, if the focus of any new government is economic alone , there is a risk that, to quote Oscar Wilde, it will know “the price of everything and the value of nothing”. Every economy – global, national or local – is situated in a social context which must develop and thrive. The well being and unity of New Zealand’s society must be restored after the brutal assault inflicted since 2017 and especially since 2020. Democracy, the very foundation of our society, has been heavily attacked. Now, a major reset is urgently needed.
Each of you wants my support. So, it might be useful for you to know my specific concerns as a voter. These are summarized below.
1. UNDRIP (The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People)
New Zealand should withdraw immediately from this instrument for international co-operation. This is legally possible and rejoining this arrangement later remains an option
This document is aspirational and not legally binding. Article 46.1 of UNDRIP specifically states that:
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, people, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act contrary to the Charter of the United Nations or construed as authorizing or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States.
Despite its clear legal status, this document has been misused by specific politicians for purposes which should obtain prior consultation with New Zealand citizens - namely, to approve or reject a new constitutional arrangement for the nation.
Withdrawal from UNDRIP resets the issue.
2. Cancellation of the Draft UNDRIP Action Plan and the 2019 He Puapua Report
A national Action Plan to implement UNDRIP’s ideas is entirely the decision of a sovereign state – in NZ’s case, the Labour government took this decision. An Action Plan is not - in any way - an obligation imposed by the UN. To claim this is totally false .
The 2019 He Puapua Report, described as aspirational, has been used to help shape Minister Jackson’s Draft UNDRIP Action Plan. It is now clear that the He Puapua Report was commissioned as a blue print for New Zealand’s transition to a system of co-governance - and, thereafter, to a state where a specific minority, due to the veto power accorded to it, would hold final political authority. New Zealand would no longer be a democracy – which is the exact intention as many politicians have noted.
Such a major change cannot be executed by any government alone. This would be overreach of power. Only the citizens can take this decision.
Cancellation would reset this issue.
3. Blanket repeal of all Labour legislation involving co-governance
Since 2020, considerable legislation has passed (e.g. 3/10 Waters, the Maori Health Authority, the RMA acts, elements of Local Government arrangements and, just a few days ago, Bills for co-governed marine reserves in the South Island (gazetted only as Parliament has already risen). Veto power - aka prior consent, final review, permanent monitoring, te mana o te wai clauses - is embedded in these laws.
All such legislation - not just the major laws - should be repealed as they contain radically new governance arrangements which have not been approval by citizens.
Blanket repeal resets this issue.
4. Referendum on these issues
This is the proper legal step to obtain citizen approval for the profound changes proposed to New Zealand’s democracy. Like Australia’s The Voice initiative, Labour should have started its plan to transform – and destroy - New Zealand’s democracy with this step. As Labour’s deliberate strategy of stealth prevented this, citizens are confused and even ignorant about the changes involved.
Though a 3-year debate leading to a referendum is long, this process is vital to obtain the wishes of all citizens - certainly not to defer to those of a minority.
A referendum will reset this issue.
5. Termination of the Waitangi Tribunal
Since 1975, the mandate of this body has been to act as a permanent commission to make recommendations on Mari claims relating to Crown activities which allegedly breach Treaty of Waitangi provisions. The Tribunal has handled many claims and overseen the negotiation of numerous settlements.
However, review of the Tribunal which has morphed into some type of court, is now overdue. Unlimited funding (rather than full and final settlements) simply cannot be claimed in perpetuity from the New Zealand tax payers (as some politicians seem to think). 2025 marks 50 years of the Tribunal. A new government must take steps to terminate this body and thank it for its work. Any outstanding claims can be settled on a case by case basis.
Terminating the Tribunal will close a past era to reset the future for claims.
6. Immediate dismantlement of the MSM
Thomas Jefferson said: “The press is impotent when it abandons itself to falsehood. ”
Labour has facilitated a media system typical of a totalitarian state where free speech is forbidden and indoctrination is the norm (influencing areas such as the NZ History curriculum). This undermines New Zealand’s previous long and admirable tradition of a fair and balanced Fourth Estate.
If - as the incoming government - you cannot depend on a high-quality and unbiased MSM, you will be sunk from Day 1.
Therefore, the only satisfactory solution is to dismantle the MSM and start again. New Zealanders will manage perfectly well until a proper democratic situation is put into place.
Dismantlement is the only effective reset .
So, my vote will depend on your loud and unwavering commitment to reset these issues so as to protect New Zealand’s democracy......
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2023/10/mary-louise-kearney-democracy-real-reset.html
An open letter to the leaders of National, ACT and NZ First
......But, as you will agree, if the focus of any new government is economic alone , there is a risk that, to quote Oscar Wilde, it will know “the price of everything and the value of nothing”. Every economy – global, national or local – is situated in a social context which must develop and thrive. The well being and unity of New Zealand’s society must be restored after the brutal assault inflicted since 2017 and especially since 2020. Democracy, the very foundation of our society, has been heavily attacked. Now, a major reset is urgently needed.
Each of you wants my support. So, it might be useful for you to know my specific concerns as a voter. These are summarized below.
1. UNDRIP (The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People)
New Zealand should withdraw immediately from this instrument for international co-operation. This is legally possible and rejoining this arrangement later remains an option
This document is aspirational and not legally binding. Article 46.1 of UNDRIP specifically states that:
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, people, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act contrary to the Charter of the United Nations or construed as authorizing or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States.
Despite its clear legal status, this document has been misused by specific politicians for purposes which should obtain prior consultation with New Zealand citizens - namely, to approve or reject a new constitutional arrangement for the nation.
Withdrawal from UNDRIP resets the issue.
2. Cancellation of the Draft UNDRIP Action Plan and the 2019 He Puapua Report
A national Action Plan to implement UNDRIP’s ideas is entirely the decision of a sovereign state – in NZ’s case, the Labour government took this decision. An Action Plan is not - in any way - an obligation imposed by the UN. To claim this is totally false .
The 2019 He Puapua Report, described as aspirational, has been used to help shape Minister Jackson’s Draft UNDRIP Action Plan. It is now clear that the He Puapua Report was commissioned as a blue print for New Zealand’s transition to a system of co-governance - and, thereafter, to a state where a specific minority, due to the veto power accorded to it, would hold final political authority. New Zealand would no longer be a democracy – which is the exact intention as many politicians have noted.
Such a major change cannot be executed by any government alone. This would be overreach of power. Only the citizens can take this decision.
Cancellation would reset this issue.
3. Blanket repeal of all Labour legislation involving co-governance
Since 2020, considerable legislation has passed (e.g. 3/10 Waters, the Maori Health Authority, the RMA acts, elements of Local Government arrangements and, just a few days ago, Bills for co-governed marine reserves in the South Island (gazetted only as Parliament has already risen). Veto power - aka prior consent, final review, permanent monitoring, te mana o te wai clauses - is embedded in these laws.
All such legislation - not just the major laws - should be repealed as they contain radically new governance arrangements which have not been approval by citizens.
Blanket repeal resets this issue.
4. Referendum on these issues
This is the proper legal step to obtain citizen approval for the profound changes proposed to New Zealand’s democracy. Like Australia’s The Voice initiative, Labour should have started its plan to transform – and destroy - New Zealand’s democracy with this step. As Labour’s deliberate strategy of stealth prevented this, citizens are confused and even ignorant about the changes involved.
Though a 3-year debate leading to a referendum is long, this process is vital to obtain the wishes of all citizens - certainly not to defer to those of a minority.
A referendum will reset this issue.
5. Termination of the Waitangi Tribunal
Since 1975, the mandate of this body has been to act as a permanent commission to make recommendations on Mari claims relating to Crown activities which allegedly breach Treaty of Waitangi provisions. The Tribunal has handled many claims and overseen the negotiation of numerous settlements.
However, review of the Tribunal which has morphed into some type of court, is now overdue. Unlimited funding (rather than full and final settlements) simply cannot be claimed in perpetuity from the New Zealand tax payers (as some politicians seem to think). 2025 marks 50 years of the Tribunal. A new government must take steps to terminate this body and thank it for its work. Any outstanding claims can be settled on a case by case basis.
Terminating the Tribunal will close a past era to reset the future for claims.
6. Immediate dismantlement of the MSM
Thomas Jefferson said: “The press is impotent when it abandons itself to falsehood. ”
Labour has facilitated a media system typical of a totalitarian state where free speech is forbidden and indoctrination is the norm (influencing areas such as the NZ History curriculum). This undermines New Zealand’s previous long and admirable tradition of a fair and balanced Fourth Estate.
If - as the incoming government - you cannot depend on a high-quality and unbiased MSM, you will be sunk from Day 1.
Therefore, the only satisfactory solution is to dismantle the MSM and start again. New Zealanders will manage perfectly well until a proper democratic situation is put into place.
Dismantlement is the only effective reset .
So, my vote will depend on your loud and unwavering commitment to reset these issues so as to protect New Zealand’s democracy......
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2023/10/mary-louise-kearney-democracy-real-reset.html