Bennett David: Maori Trustee Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Bennett David: Maori Trustee Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:653;Page:2770] 
DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) 
: 
 It is a great pleasure to speak in the Committee stage of the Maori Trustee Amendment Bill. It is important to note that the Labour members opposite are not saying they will vote for the bill; they are doing everything they can to talk about the outlying issues of this legislation but they will not actually commit to supporting it. They will not say they believe that National is doing the right thing in putting this bill forward with our Maori Party colleagues and they will not admit that this bill is in the best interests of Maori. 
Labour Party members do not see the benefits in establishing the Maori Trustee as a stand-alone organisation. It is important that we do establish it as a stand-alone organisation because we need to give that degree of accountability and transparency to any Government position and given the issues that have been so prominent in recent times. In creating that stand-alone position of the Maori Trustee this bill leads to that transparency and that accountability. The Maori Trustee will be free from political pressure. 
The Maori Trustee Amendment Bill provides for better and more open communication between the Maori Trustee and its beneficiaries. The provisions of this bill enable the beneficiaries of the Maori Trustee to be sure they are receiving equal income from the common fund. In all this bill is a very positive step forward by the National Government taking into account what can be done in the best interests of Maori. It is very disappointing to see that Labour members cannot stand up and admit to that. They cannot stand up and say that this bill is in the best interests of Maori and that they will support it. In this legislation members will see that support and see the support from the people who see the benefit of having the Maori Trustee as a stand-alone organisation. It is part of the National Government’s commitment to having a strong relationship with Maori. 
In this current economic climate it is important that public entities are seen as transparent and accountable because difficult times are coming. We need to make sure that the best processes are there for our people going forward. The Maori Trustee Amendment Bill is part of providing that transparency and accountability. 
Hon Member 
: 2 minutes David. 
DAVID BENNETT 
: It is important to see that Labour members are now trying to create some havoc in this debate. They will not actually stand up and support the bill or constructively add value to the debate. They talk about what happened in the select committee in past Governments; we look at what is going forward for Maori. This bill will provide a future and a solution to this issue. This bill shows that the Government is listening to the people is taking on board the issues people see as relevant and is providing constructive solutions. These solutions are what we need. This is a Government based on solutions that are fair and proper. These solutions take into account that there are issues that need to be dealt with through a Maori Trustee that is open independent and not subject to political pressure. That is why we need to have it as a stand-alone organisation. That is what we have achieved through this legislation. I think the National Government and its colleagues can take great credit for the way this issue has moved forward. We now have a situation where the Government will pass legislation that enables there to be a stand-alone organisation to take advantage of the requirements of Maoridom and this community to see that kind of respect and legislative impetus behind it. 
This bill includes a few major amendments to the creation of that stand-alone organisation that the Maori Affairs Committee has worked on. It instructs that in exercising authority to terminate the appointment of the Maori Trustee the Minister must observe the rules of natural justice.