Even DPF attacking government’s urgency

Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, April 14th, 2011 - 6 comments
Categories: democracy under attack - Tags:

The Herald reports that National party blogger David Farrar and Grant Robertson have spoken out against the government’s misuse of urgency and its bypassing of the select committee process.

Ironically the call comes as the government jams more bad legislation through under the cover of urgency.

When one of the government’s most uncritical supporters feels the need to attack them on their undemocratic behaviour you know what they’re doing is getting very very dodgy.

6 comments on “Even DPF attacking government’s urgency ”

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  1. Carol 1
    14 April 2011 at 8:09 am

    And the above linked Herald article says this:

    A spokesman for acting Leader of the House Simon Power said it was a first-term government with an “enormous” legislative programme.

    And what makes a lot of its legislation so necessary that it needs to be part of this enormous legislative programme, other than the government’s attempt to bring in laws to benefit the few, while many of the many often aren’t aware of what they are doing?

  2. Nick 2
    14 April 2011 at 8:11 am

    I’m all for bipartisanship, but Robertson and Farrar really ought to keep their public displays of affection to a minimum.

    If anyone wants to know what I’m talking about, just have a glance at their twitter feeds

  3. Rob 3
    14 April 2011 at 9:38 am

    To be fair there has only been a roughly 400% increase in the number of bills passed without select committees and the use of urgency hours is probably only double the last term if they don’t use it much more this year.

  4. Jezza 4
    14 April 2011 at 9:50 am

    NZ’s constitution is based on conventions. 

    I’d like to suggest a new convention:

    “No law can be validly passed unless it is reviewed by a Select Committee”.

    Any law that has been passed to date without review by a Select Committee should be ignored – by everyone. Civil disobedience is a legitimate action against a tyrannical government.

  5. prism 5
    14 April 2011 at 10:05 am

    Rob – Very wry.
    Would someone talk me out of the feeling that NZ is stuffed.  And the question as we get to Anzac Day – can we imagine that those who fought and died for not just ‘freedom’ but for rights, useful assistance to those in need, good living standards, a thriving commercial climate for all the country not just for favoured pockets and lobbyists, and a functioning democracy would like the present situation?  I think we have improved living standards but our profile as a thriving, humane (important factor), and fair country with opportunities for a satisfactory, enjoyable life is fast deteriorating.
     
    We have the see-saw of neo-liberal NACT, that is trying to cut our democratic rights to ribbons each time they get into power, and the many at the top of Labour who are half-hearted, middle of the road-nearly cleansed neo-liberals now slightly righty/more lefty.  They aren’t  committed to giving opportunities to all people, just their special cases and the halt and the lame.
     
    At present we can’t shift the see-saw back so that the left can get on top, they are too lightweight  And if they do manage a shift, do they consider they’ve won the tussle, and just concentrate on staying on top?  That’s not what NZ very desperately needs.  We need politicians that are committed to shaping practical policies that advance the country and us all, not the present ones that just suck the country dry of everything we, and the Anzacs held dear and worthwhile.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      14 April 2011 at 2:00 pm

      …and a functioning democracy would like the present situation?

      Considering that the present situation is similar to what occurred in Germany in the 1930s – probably not.

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