The ETS is bigger than politics and begs true leadership. National and its farmer lobby are failng to step up, so can we expect more from the Maori Party and iwi?
As far as the public's concerned, Hone Harawira is the Maori Party's biggest political management problem at the moment. But the party's facing a bigger, more important decision at the moment than whether the MP for Te Tai Tokerau should stay or go. It's deciding whether it should vote yes or no on the government's reforms to the emissions trading scheme, and what we know of the negotiations so far raise questions about the minor party's interests.
This is the start of my post at tvnz.co.nz. To continue reading, click here. But feel free to add comments and debate below.
Comments (3)
The answer? No. They are being selfish and short-sighted, and Maori will be harmed in the long term by their decisions as much as anyone.
Iwi groups are similarly only looking at their immediate financial interests. They have a right to, of course: we don't expect any better from business groups in NZ, who are also similarly myopic. I think public goodwill will run out quite quickly if they start abusing their position.
Thank you, Tim.
Couple ' things:
I couldn't be more disgusted with, as George so nicely puts it, their selfishness and short sight. BUT ... what the Maori Party's done here is just a wee microcosm of the almost universal response to this challenge, whether its the local wind farm, emissions trading, per country CO2 reduction targets, or whatever. Of course we're very worried about climate change; just don't make us share the cost because ... [insert special pleading of choice].
Second, the hand wringing about bad boy Hone is a farce. Why is he in trouble? Of course, he was potty-mouthed, rude to a constituent, lied about the sickie, etc, but underneath that was the festering sense of grievance that he seems to think justifies rorting and milking the system for maximum personal advantage. It's no good mealy mouthing about how the Maori Party is about unity, and then turning around and doing exactly the same thing, just more politely.
Oram makes a good point today - the Maori Party are trying to establish a new regime, where full and final is not full and final.
Of course, we've had adjustability in treaty settlements ever since National imposed the 'fiscal envelope' and then promised relativity on new settlements after the Kai Tahu deal. But that was envisaged as a series of one-off adjustments, not payment or protection of assets in perpetuity.
Labour, rightly or wrongly, would never have agreed to this change that the Maori Party are having the National Government sign on to. Cullen wasn't going to have a bar of it. And the Maori Party know it - which is why they're a lot happier with this bunch.
The Maori Party risks a lot with this strategy, and they also have a lot to gain.
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