INDEPENDENT NEWS

Section 9 replicated in Public Finance Act

Published: Mon 5 Mar 2012 04:17 PM
Hon Tariana Turia and Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Maori Party Co-Leaders
5 March 2012
Section 9 replicated in Public Finance Act
The Maori Party have had a mixed reaction to the announcement by Hon. Tony Ryall that Section 9 of the State Owned Enterprise Act will be transferred almost in its entirety into the Public Finance Act relating to the mixed ownership model companies.
Dr. Pita Sharples said “While we are pleased that the wording of the Treaty clause in the Public Finance Act replicates Section 9 of the SOE Act, as this is what the majority of tangata whenua called for during the consultation process on mixed model ownership, we are aware however that there are other issues that need to be further considered such as how the Crown gives effect to the Treaty as a majority shareholder, and what parts of the legislation the Treaty will now apply to.”
“While we recognise this is a step in the right direction, we are still proceeding with caution around the issue of the Treaty and the rights of tangata whenua in relation to the partial asset sales,” said Dr. Sharples.
“We are also looking at the wider legislative context that will govern the SOE’s to ensure that the Treaty is properly protected, we are also wanting to ensure that the Crown as majority shareholder will ensure the companies have in place practices that do not conflict with the Treaty of Waitangi.
Mrs Tariana Turia said “we are strongly opposed to the sale of assets, and our vote will not change on this issue. We will however, continue to monitor the progress of the legislation throughout the parliamentary process to ensure we mitigate the risk of the proposed sell down of assets on tangata whenua.”
“This process has raised a number of issues which need to be properly addressed in relation to our rights as tangata whenua and our connection and relationship with our waterways and other natural resources,” said Mrs Turia
“Water will be a large focus for the Māori Party over this term of government.”
Dr. Sharples said “we have negotiated as part of our Relationship Accord with the National Party, to advance projects in the area of freshwater restoration and management.”
“We will also be ensuring that tangata whenua as the guardians of our waterways and other natural resources are engaged in processes that move them further towards their respective aspirations around water rights.”
Mrs Turia said “The Maori Party support the many forms of engagement that tangata whenua are involved in to address their rights in relation to water. We have an obligation to ensure that the Crown are properly engaging with tangata whenua, and also that water issues are properly and appropriately handled.”
ENDS

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