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Winston Peters - Source: ONE News -
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I've got to say, I loved the debate we generated on Q+A this past Sunday, when we talked about the foreshore and seabed and parole and, er, Winston Peters .
With New Zealanders of substance - such as Sir Douglas Graham and Metiria Turei - debating issues of real grit and importance, it was great to sit back and listen to the panel go at it with such gusto.
But in amongst all the warring opinion and the media interest in Winston Peters' return to the political stage, it was easy to miss the nuggets of information that came out in the whirl of debate. So I thought I'd run through some highlights that stuck in my mind when I looked back over the programme.
Here are my top 10:
- Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Sir Douglas Graham said that to gain customary title over the foreshore, Maori would have to prove "that they were in exclusive possession in 1840". Greens co-leader Metiria Turei thought that test of law shouldn't apply in "a Treaty-based nation like our own". Graham stressed Maori's need to prove customary title of the foreshore, Turei stressed the Crown's need to prove Maori had given away that title. Where they agreed was that these issues are best sorted out in the courts, rather than in parliament. If this all does get sent to the courts, however, the potential is that the foreshore and seabed could become a cultural battleground for years to come.
- Winston Peters argued that New Zealand's seabed, which extends 200 nautical miles off our coastline was only awarded to this country "by international treaty post 1840". (Presumably he was referring to the third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, which set exclusive economic zones around nations). Therefore, that ocean bed can't be claimed by Maori as theirs prior to 1840.
- Smaller iwi and hapu want their day in court, not a national settlement negotiated on their behalf by the Maori Party and National, according to Turei. This is very tricky ground for the Maori Party. Politically, they want to be able to claim credit for a win and control the outcome, so would prefer to deal directly with National. But the party was founded arguing for Maori to have their day in court and Turei's right; there will be individual marae with strong links to their bit of foreshore who want to speak for themselves, not have the Maori Party speak on their behalf.
- If those iwi and hapu are finally allowed to go to court, as many have demanded, Peters and Graham both said they might find that the courts are less sympathetic than the previous government, not more so. They may find "they have no right at all," said Peters.
- Judge David Carruthers, the head of the Parole Board, said 72% of parole applications were declined last year. Hardly the soft touch many believe them to be.
- Four of the Parole Board's 38 members have had family members murdered.
- Turei pointed out that an estimated 80% of prisoners have had a drug or alcohol problem, yet only 500 prisoners a year get treatment (although the government has promised to increase that to 1000). "So it's very difficult for them to have an adjusted life when they get out," she added.
- When Sir Douglas was Minister of Justice 15 years ago our prison population was about 4500. Now it's almost 8500. "So, are we better off?" he asked.
- The average custodial sentence for murderers in New Zealand these days is roughly 17 years. That ain't nothin'.
- Life does mean life in New Zealand. No, those sentenced to life don't die in prison as some would like. But they are on parole until they die, living often under quite strict limits, such as no alcohol or drugs and needing to get permission from the Probation Service to move house or even go on holiday.
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Post new commentYady said on 2011-11-28 @ 09:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
the country is full of complacent morons who love to complain but dont get of there arse to vote.... cant beleive where this country is headed, where just like the yanks, maybe worse because we think we are better than them....shame shame shame..... who can blame us for moving to aussie... the nz government is for the nz rich list, they dont care about the poor..... shame shame shame..... and the media should be held accountable.... they done this... i want to hear the tea tapes!
Yady said on 2011-11-28 @ 09:35 NZDT: Report abusive post
those who didn't vote should be ashamed of themselves.... this country is full of moaning couch potatoes..... just what national needed... shame shame shame....
cheekychick said on 2011-11-27 @ 10:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
Michelle Boag calling Winston names is disgusting and offensive Jan
troberts88 said on 2011-11-27 @ 10:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
Yay John!
cheekychick said on 2011-11-27 @ 09:28 NZDT: Report abusive post
Winston Peters is needed in Parliament to keep them honest. Janice