Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Clark Cannot Take Parliament's Support For Granted

Clark Cannot Take Parliament's Support For Anti-Terrorism Campaign For Granted

United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, is warning the Prime Minister against taking Parliament's support for the anti-terrorism campaign for granted.

"Whilst I think she is correct in her current assessment that all parties continue to support the government's actions in terms of the October 4th vote in Parliament, that may not continue unabated, especially if the campaign becomes prolonged and the fighting intensifies."

"Clearly, this is the government's expectation, if media reports that a War Cabinet of senior Ministers has been appointed, are to be believed."

"Because Parliament endorsed the decision to commit SAS forces to the anti-terrorism campaign, Parliament has a right to be kept fully informed of the consequent course of their deployment, yet this is not occurring."

"On the one hand, the government was keen to secure cross-party support for its actions, which was forthcoming, but, on the other hand, it is not nearly as keen to share information about what is happening to the New Zealand forces."

"It cannot continue to have it both ways and expect Parliament to give ongoing meek and unquestioning support," Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne suggests there should be regular full briefings provided to party leaders on the course of the anti-terrorism campaign to ensure Parliament's support can be retained.

"Otherwise, there is an increasing risk that a Parliament and public kept in the dark will turn against the cause we professed ourselves so determined to pursue in the aftermath of September 11th."

"This is too big an issue to become victim to partisan politics, and the government should be determined to pursue as strong a multi-party approach as possible," he says.

Ends


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.