13 April

Most democracies enshrine a ‘balance of powers’. We usually don’t think about ours, because New Zealand’s setting are often quite benign. There are a lot of rules that we have to obey, but most of the time we, as citizens get to have our say on matters important to us.

Enter the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill. As our blogger Brimstone notes, not only does it shatter the balance of powers between state and individuals, but it is being passed at breakneck speed under extreme urgency.

There is a Select Committee process, which is the normal way that citizens get a say in law-making, but it is just another example of how normal practices are being over-ridden. The people to appear were chosen by the Minister’s office. No-one else is to get a voice.

The powers that are given to Gerry Brownlee and his new department are extremely wide, and include.....

See rest of report, and Brimstone's advice to 'Lock up your daughters', here.

ENDS

© Scoop Media