Don't Replace The FSA With Another FSA
Tuesday November 3 2009

ACT New Zealand Maori Issues Spokesman Peter Tashkoff was today heartened that the Government has finally accepted that the Foreshore and Seabed ACT (FSA) should be repealed, but expressed concern over the idea that it should be replaced with new legislation.

“As ACT stated in our minority report on the Foreshore and Seabed Bill in 2004, it was never fair for Maori to have their right to their day in court legislated away. Recognition of that, now from all sides, is long overdue," Mr Tashkoff said.

“New Zealand has a long and established history of ownership issues being resolved by the courts, and the matter should now be left with them. There is no need for any further political involvement beyond the repeal of this pernicious legislation.

“Political interference of any kind simply opens the door for the kind of divisiveness that marked the original passing of the FSA. As soon as it becomes a political horse-trading affair, no one will be satisfied with the outcome.

“I am urging the Government to display discipline, stand back and allow the courts to carry out their functions unimpeded. Only then will we reach an impartial conclusion that can be accepted by all New Zealanders,” Mr. Tashkoff said.

ENDS

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