Friday, 8 June 2007

‘MMP parties’ presence felt over sedition

United Future leader Peter Dunne has applauded the Government for taking up the baton to repeal the laws of sedition as demanded by Parliament’s four ‘MMP parties’.

The Government today announced that it has introduced a bill to Parliament which will abolish the sedition laws.

“I know my colleagues within the Green Party, Act and the Maori Party will join me in expressing gratitude to the Government for listening to the reasoned argument that we put before them,” said Mr Dunne.

“Initially the Government was seeking an October deadline for this bill, so I am glad that we were able to force their hand a little bit.

“Sedition is an out-of-date, draconian law that belongs in the dust-filled pages of history books rather than as a relevant part of New Zealand legislation.

“Today the Government has taken an important step in fulfilling its obligation under the New Zealand Bill of Rights to promote free and democratic speech.

“The fact that the four ‘MMP parties’ represent 14 votes means that the bill is virtually assured of success in the House.

“I hope that the cooperation of the four ‘MMP parties’ will prove to both Labour and National that consensus politics can achieve a lot more than the usual adversarial merry-go-round that is the public’s perception of Parliament,” concluded Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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