English Bill: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
English Bill: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:612;Page:8967] 
7.  
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Leader of the Opposition) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: In light of her statement that foreshore and seabed legislation will be introduced “when it is ready” can she provide a more precise date on when that will be and why is the Government not releasing a public statement on the seabed and foreshore issue until after the Waitangi Tribunal hearing on 17 October 2003? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) 
: 
 No. The Waitangi Tribunal hearing is scheduled for 5 to 7 November; 17 October is the date by which the Crown must advise the tribunal of its current position. The Government is presently in the process of analysing submissions and feedback on its proposal. 
Hon Bill English 
: What issues does the Government expect the Waitangi Tribunal will deliberate on and does the Government intend to release publicly its submission to the Waitangi Tribunal? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: I do not have any advice on what issues the tribunal might be raising with the Government. Another Minister might be able to answer that if that was set down specifically. And yes it would be our intention to release the submission. 
Metiria Turei 
: Given that the Waitangi Tribunal recommendations on the foreshore and seabed issue will not be binding on the Government will the Prime Minister commit to adhering to the tribunal’s eventual findings as a demonstration to tangata whenua that the Government is prepared to act with good faith on this issue and not merely pay lip service to it? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: As the member knows no Government is bound by the Waitangi Tribunal. All Governments are respectful of it but that does not mean they are bound to agree with it. 
Stephen Franks 
: After Maori Land Court judges on the Waitangi Tribunal have openly canvassed Maori for support in the tribunal’s intervention in this issue is the Prime Minister satisfied that they can still appear impartial; and does she still plan to leave those same judges to decide where and when customary rights might apply? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: I would be interested to hear from the member either now or at a later date whether he has evidence of judges declaring such positions because my own view is that there would be a conflict of interest with their judicial responsibilities. 
Hon Bill English 
: Is the Government approaching the Waitangi Tribunal on an issue that could be the single biggest Waitangi-type issue in a generation and as yet has no idea how the Waitangi Tribunal might approach it or what kind of submission it might put to the tribunal; why is the Government going into that exercise so blind? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: The Government is presently preparing a submission. If the member wishes to set down specific questions about what advice the Government has on what issues the tribunal might raise I imagine a Minister would be willing to answer them but I do not have that information today. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I seek leave to table the Treaty of Waitangi (State Enterprises) Act which contrary to what the Prime Minister just told the House requires the Government of the day to regard the decision as mandatory to follow. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is.