ACT Calls On National To Withdraw Foreshore Bill

ACT Maori Affairs Spokesman Hilary Calvert today called on National to withdraw the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill following Maori Party Co-Leader Tariana Turia's admission yesterday that her Party will not be satisfied if the proposed Bill is passed into law, and that it will continue to push for further amendments.

“National has said that it is ‘determined to resolve the foreshore and seabed issue once and for all' but Ms Turia's comments yesterday show that the proposed Bill falls far short of this goal," Ms Calvert said.

“In fact, National’s Bill is doing the exact opposite of what it intended; rather than resolving the Foreshore and Seabed issue it is instead creating fresh division and grievance – grievance that will continue even if the Bill is passed.

"ACT is the only party in Parliament that has held a consistent stance on the foreshore and seabed issue – that the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 should be repealed and that iwi and hapu should be allowed their day in court.

“National should recognise that its Bill fails to achieve what it set out to do and withdraw it before it creates further division. ACT calls on both National and the Maori Party to support the repeal of the 2004 Act, replace it with a guarantee of free access and ensure that any foreshore and seabed disputes are heard in open court,” Ms Calvert said.

ENDS

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