United Future claims victory on ‘no compensation’ issue

The Government has been forced to back down on its proposal to create marginal strips alongside rivers and lakes when land is sold to overseas residents, but without paying compensation, said Gordon Copeland, United Future revenue spokesperson today.

“This has been necessary to gain United Future support for the Bill.

“The Overseas Investment Bill as reported back to Parliament contained the bald statement that “no compensation is payable” and although United Future supports the creation of marginal strips allowing public access, we believe the no-compensation clause is a clear breach of property rights.

“Its inclusion in the Overseas Investment Bill, no matter how well meaning, would have both created a precedent and set aside the common law principle of ‘no confiscation without compensation’. We simply couldn’t live with that.

“We do not agree that private land should ever be acquired without the payment of just compensation and I have a Member’s Bill before the Justice and Electoral select committee which aims to enshrine that principle in the New Zealand Bill of Rights.

“United Future has put a stake in the ground as a clear signal to Government that if the taking of private land is seen to be of value to the people of New Zealand then the Crown, on behalf of its citizens, is duty bound to pay compensation.

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