smh.com.au
Treaty Principles Bill Sparks Fierce Debate in NZ Parliament
New Zealand's Parliament erupted in fierce debate over the Treaty Principles Bill, leading to expulsions and accusations of racism and undemocratic actions.
English
Australia
PoliticsControversyIndo PacificDebateNew ZealandTreaty
Labour PartyAct PartyTe Pāti MāoriNational PartyNz First
Willie JacksonDavid SeymourRawiri WaititiChristopher LuxonChloe Swarbrick
- How did David Seymour defend the Treaty Principles Bill?
- ACT leader David Seymour defended the bill, arguing it would grant "tino rangatiratanga" to all and rejecting accusations of stirring racial division. He criticized the opposition's tactics, noting a lack of substantive arguments and an unprecedented level of disruption in parliament.
- What was the Prime Minister's stance on the Treaty Principles Bill?
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon criticized the bill as divisive and a distraction, stating that it oversimplified a complex issue with significant historical context. He voiced his opposition before leaving the country for an overseas trip.
- What were the overall consequences and implications of the heated debate?
- The debate surrounding the Treaty Principles Bill exposed deep divisions within New Zealand's Parliament, with accusations of hate speech, racism, and undemocratic tactics. The intensity of the debate led to unprecedented actions, like the expulsion of an MP and the clearing of the public gallery.
- What strong accusations were made against the ACT Party during the debate?
- Rawiri Waititi, a MP, compared the ACT Party to the Ku Klux Klan, arguing the bill would harm the Treaty of Waitangi and that only the original signatories had the power to change it. He accused the coalition MPs of complicity in this harm.
- What was the main point of contention during the New Zealand Parliament's debate?
- The Treaty Principles Bill sparked intense debate in New Zealand's parliament, with Labour MP Willie Jackson ejected for refusing to apologize for calling ACT leader David Seymour a "liar". The bill itself faced strong opposition from various parties, with accusations of divisiveness and attempts to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi.