Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:666;Page:13979] 
8. 
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
 to the  
Attorney-General 
: When he answered yesterday that “hopefully” the new foreshore and seabed bill “will settle the protracted controversy around the issues of the foreshore and seabed” was he aware that the Government’s confidence and supply partner the Hon Pita Sharples told TV3 that he was “not entirely happy” with the new bill? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
: 
 No I was not aware of those comments which I think were made by Dr Sharples to TV3 immediately before question time commenced. The Government sought to develop a replacement regime that balances the rights and interests of all New Zealanders. I have to say I agree with what Phil O’Reilly of Business New Zealand said earlier today: “Balancing competing needs with legislation of this kind inevitably involves trade-offs. It is to be hoped that we can all approach the debate around this Bill thoughtfully and courteously and without slogans.” 
Hon David Parker 
: When the Attorney-General said yesterday that he had seen statements from the Maori Party members “indicating their firm support for the legislation.” which of the following statements was he referring to: the statement from Pita Sharples the one from Te Ururoa Flavell that they would “come back and have another go in the future” or those from Hone Harawira who is not even voting for the bill? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: None. I was referring to a press release that had been issued by the Maori Party indicating its support for the legislation in this House. 
Hon David Parker 
: Will the Attorney-General accept that without a clear acknowledgment from the Maori Party that the new legislation will fully and finally settle the legal framework for foreshore and seabed issues there is less likelihood that the protracted controversy will be durably settled? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: No I do not. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the National Government considers that it has developed a replacement regime that balances the rights and interests of all New Zealanders and it will not be revisiting this matter. The Maori Party has indicated that it supports the legislation so in terms of durability for the country I suppose it is really a question of whether Labour would be willing to revisit the matter in the future. 
Hon David Parker 
: Given his responsible acknowledgment yesterday—for which I thank him—that the Labour Party has contributed to a benign political climate by offering to compromise on foreshore and seabed issues if an enduring settlement of these issues cannot be achieved now when will it ever be possible? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: I thank the member for his thankyou but there is no need for it. I believe that now is the time for this House to deal with the issue—picking up the words of Phil O’Reilly—courteously and generously listening to what the general public have to say and ensuring that it is not rushed through the House. I think that if we can all deal with it in that way then it will be durably resolved. 
Hon David Parker 
: Is the Minister aware that many New Zealanders believe that unless there is an acknowledgment by the Maori Party that this framework will fully and finally settle foreshore and seabed issues the matter will not be fully and finally settled and his Government and the Maori Party will have failed in their ambition? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: No I am aware of many people who confidently expect as I said that if this House works positively and maturely on the issue then the proposals that have been put forward will result in a durable resolution of a matter that has vexed this country for too long.