Act ploy to delay foreshore vote

Act leader Rodney Hide, with deputy leader John Boscawen. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Act is seeking to waste enough time during today's question time in Parliament to stop the third reading of foreshore legislation.

Act has put up 700 questions to members, of which 98 have been accepted. Those questions are usually used to clarify what's going on in select committees but the party is using them hoping to eat up two hours. The House rises at 6pm so, if successful, it could rise before the final vote of the bill is held.

Act have always opposed the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill which repeals the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act. The party argues it gives preferential treatment to Maori and will public access limited.

Act MP John Boscawen told reporters today's action was to show its strong opposition to the bill and hope that extra time would result in a rethink.

"We intend to fight it to the bitter end."

He disagreed the action was an abuse of process, saying National had done that by cutting short consideration of the bill.

"It's the National Party that abused Parliamentary process."

The Maori Party back the bill and co-leader Tariana Turia said ACT was wasting considerable time and money by asking the time wasting questions.

There was no chance a delay would stop the bill passing.

"I think he's dreaming. It's a bit delusional to think that."

- NZPA