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

 

Cannabis debate heads for Ohariu-Belmont


Cannabis debate heads for Ohariu-Belmont

Green MP Nandor Tanczos and Jim Anderton will be heading to Ohariu-Belmont to debate cannabis law reform.

Nandor and Mr Anderton engaged in a lively and thoughtful debate on Tuesday night in the Wigram electorate, an event that drew a packed house of around 230 people.

Following the debate Mr Anderton commented that "it would be wrong if the good people of Ohariu-Belmont did not have the opportunity to participate in a similar open discussion". Nandor, the Green spokesperson for cannabis law reform, said he agreed entirely.

"Let's give the people of Ohariu-Belmont a chance to listen to the debate that their own MP didn't want them to hear," said Nandor.

"The huge turn-out in Wigram just showed the enormous public interest in hearing the facts. People want the chance to make up their own minds, and MPs have a responsibility to facilitate rather than stifle public debate."

Nandor said that while he and Mr Anderton disagreed on the best policy to reduce abuse of cannabis, the important thing was that the public got access to the facts, and to the different points of view.

"We've already had a lot of interest from people in Ohariu-Belmont in attending. I think that people will draw their own conclusions about the fact that Mr Dunne has made locking-in cannabis prohibition a bottom line issue, yet is not prepared to publicly defend or even explain his position.

"The amazing thing is that Mr Dunne told the Health Select Committee inquiry into cannabis that the current policy is not working, yet he opposes any change. Maybe his inability to reconcile his own statements is preventing him from accepting," said Nandor.

Nandor said he will make sure a chair remains empty on stage, in case Mr Dunne changes his mind.

Details for the Ohariu-Belmont debate are yet to be finalised. Nandor has accepted an invitation from Progressive MP Matt Robson to debate the issue of cannabis law reform in South Auckland.


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.