Post by Kiwi Frontline on Apr 13, 2016 17:23:53 GMT 12
LABOUR BACKTRACKS ON MARINE SANCTUARY
The Labour Party has joined the Maori Party in reconsidering its support for a law change which will establish a massive marine sanctuary in the Kermadec Islands.
Labour leader Andrew Little said his party was "very concerned" about a legal challenge by Maori fisheries group Te Ohu Kaimoana, which said the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary breached a historic fisheries agreement between iwi and the Crown.
"We haven't got to the point of withdrawing our support but we certainly ... share those concerns," Mr Little said at Parliament today.
Co-leader Marama Fox reiterated today that its support for the bill was not guaranteed. The party was talking to iwi with interests in the Kermadecs before it determined its position.
"We supported the idea of a sanctuary," she said. "But the Government has been negligent in getting consent and getting consultation with all of the iwi involved."
The Act Party has also said that it could vote against the bill, on the grounds that the no-take reserve infringes on fishing rights without offering compensation.
If Labour, the Maori Party, and Act withdrew their support, National could still pass the bill with support from the Greens, United Future, and New Zealand First.
Prime Minister John Key yesterday said that the Government intended to press on despite the court action. The sanctuary was expected to be in place by November…..
m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11621260
The Labour Party has joined the Maori Party in reconsidering its support for a law change which will establish a massive marine sanctuary in the Kermadec Islands.
Labour leader Andrew Little said his party was "very concerned" about a legal challenge by Maori fisheries group Te Ohu Kaimoana, which said the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary breached a historic fisheries agreement between iwi and the Crown.
"We haven't got to the point of withdrawing our support but we certainly ... share those concerns," Mr Little said at Parliament today.
Co-leader Marama Fox reiterated today that its support for the bill was not guaranteed. The party was talking to iwi with interests in the Kermadecs before it determined its position.
"We supported the idea of a sanctuary," she said. "But the Government has been negligent in getting consent and getting consultation with all of the iwi involved."
The Act Party has also said that it could vote against the bill, on the grounds that the no-take reserve infringes on fishing rights without offering compensation.
If Labour, the Maori Party, and Act withdrew their support, National could still pass the bill with support from the Greens, United Future, and New Zealand First.
Prime Minister John Key yesterday said that the Government intended to press on despite the court action. The sanctuary was expected to be in place by November…..
m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11621260