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Parliamentary Services has marred what might otherwise have been a showcase example of how public protest is treated in New Zealand.
In an affidavit to the court sentencing the Greenpeace protesters for trespass after they scaled the front of old Parliament Buildings, the manager of Parliamentary Services claimed the eight-hour protest had cost the government more than $36,000. Fortunately, the judge paid little regard to that remarkable sum but said he had to take it into account. As a result, last Friday the four protesters were convicted and discharged but each ordered to pay $750 reparation – in total, less than one-tenth of the amount Parliamentary Services claimed.
In effect, the Judge delivered Parliamentary Services a slap in the face, and rightly so. If justice were really to be delivered, the judge would have ordered Parliamentary Services to make a substantial donation to Greenpeace for it having shown up a wide-open security flaw at Parliament.
Alas, maintaining law and order is incidental to justice and, yeah, okay, trespass was committed so, maybe, conviction warranted. Still, New Zealand has been witness to a great display of how public protest can be successful and how authorities can allow it to happen and do their job.
Greenpeace was creative in its approach, sensible in its application, and successful in getting its message across. How wonderful to also see the Police take a reasonable approach to the situation. Knowing that removing the protesters would put people at risk of injury, the Police secured the scene, entered into constructive dialogue, and took a gentle approach when the protest finished. The sensible approach taken by the protesters and Police was echoed by the equally sensible application of the law by the courts. Hell, even the MSM took a sensible approach to coverage and should be applauded for repeating the Greenpeace message in nearly every account as this case worked its way through from start to finish.
Shame on Parliamentary Services for acting with spite after having been so thoroughly embarrassed with such a public demonstration of its inability to do a part of its job properly. $36,000? Pull the other one, its got bells on.
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