Iwi foreshore claims could clog courts for years - minister
Just a day after the foreshore legislation passes, National's Georgina Te Heuheu worries about its impact.
The government has expressed concerns that the newly passed foreshore legislation will clog up the courts for years to come.
Minister of Courts Georgina te Heuheu said this morning that the government was “crossing its fingers” that wouldn’t happen but acknowledged the possibility.
“Court proceedings tend to clog things up for years to come, on the other hand the main purpose of the bill that we have negotiated wit h the Maori Party is to restore the right of Maori to go back to court,” she said on National Radio.
Legislation repealing the Foreshore and Seabed Act and giving Maori the right to seek customary title to parts of the coastline has been passed into law. The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill passed its third reading yesterday on a vote of 63 to 56.
National, The Maori Party and United Future supported the legislation. Labour opposed the bill saying it doesn't provide a lasting solution.
"Only the lawyers are going to benefit from this, precious little else will be achieved," Labour MP Shane Jones said.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said the bill was not what National wanted in every respect but the alternative would have been unresolved resentment and ongoing injustice.
"This bill isn't perfect but I suspect it will be lasting," he said.
NBR staff
Fri, 25 Mar 2011
Fri, 25 Mar 2011
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Iwi foreshore claims could clog courts for years - minister
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