Brownlee Speech: All Kiwis urged to take part in democratic process

National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee is urging both Maori and non-Maori New Zealanders to have their say on the future management of the seabed and foreshore through the select committee process.

"Today I am calling on all New Zealanders to exercise their rights through the democratic process and send submissions to Miles Reay, Select Committee Office, Office of the Clerk, 9.12, Bowen House."

Mr Brownlee issued the challenge in a speech to delegates at the National Party Lower North Island Regional Conference in Napier.

"I find it suspicious that already the Government is talking about 'room to move' in the legislation - presumably Labour's expecting changes to the legislation at the select committee stage.

"Both John Tamihere and Parekura Horomia have clearly indicated that there is more to come.

"I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for all New Zealanders to make their views known.

"We must present a balanced range of opinions to the select committee if we are to influence the final shape of this Bill. If we don't, you can bet there will be further concessions for Maori slipped past us through the back door.

"All New Zealanders need to make their feelings known on this important issue and I'd encourage Maori and non-Maori to do so," Mr Brownlee said.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>