English attacks Government use of Treaty

The Government is using the Treaty of Waitangi to give some citizens rights that others do not enjoy, says National Party leader Bill English.

In his most forthright speech since the election, Mr English this morning staked out National's political territory, pinpointing where it would attack the Government.

He saved his stongest shots for the Local Government Bill, which the Government intends to pass before Christmas.

"This bill attacks the principle of one standard of citizenship," he told the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

"Helen Clark's plan is to push through the Local Government Bill in the last week before Christmas, so you will be too busy to notice, so you will forget what's in it.

"This pre-Christmas rush is an act of political cowardice."

The Local Government Bill served up a confusing, divisive mixture of roles for Maori, he said.

Under the bill, the Local Government Minister can review all decisions in relation to Maori and order the process to be redone.

Councils would have to have a specific policy on refunding and postponing rates on Maori freehold land.

They would also have to have special processes for consulting Maori, he said.

Any decision would have to take into account the relationship Maori had with land, water, flora, fauna and other taonga (treasures).

"And who will pay for all of this? The ratepayer," Mr English said.

"Every ratepayer and renter will be affected. It has been estimated that rates could go up 15 per cent."

Councils would have to act according to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, when those principles were not defined in legislation, he said.

"Our constitution is changing -- against the will of the people and without their knowledge," he said.

"The legislation is a fundamental change to government in New Zealand. It's sneaky, it's a backward step and New Zealanders deserve to know what's going on.

"We can restore one standard of citizenship."

The treaty established common rights and obligations "whatever our background", he said.

National considered everyone to be equal under the law, and the bill attacked that principle.

"Labour has lost its way on the Treaty of Waitangi. There is no discussion, no direction, no leadership -- just corrosive political correctness.

"They think talking about the treaty is a replacement for jobs, education and functional families."

Historical treaty grievances had to be addressed.

"That is justice, but justice does not and should not give some citizens rights other citizens do not enjoy.

"Measures that undermine our ideal of democracy must be challenged, they must be tested and, if necessary, changed.

"If we don't, then one man's view about a taniwha will mean that a dangerous stretch of national highway isn't made wide enough to save lives."

Mr English was referring to the fact that Transit New Zealand may have to build a narrower expressway on State Highway 1 in north Waikato to avoid the site of a legendary taniwha (spiritual guardian).

Ngati Naho this month raised concerns that the swampy home of the taniwha lay in the path of the new four-lane road.

The speech at the Wellington Club was called One Standard of Citizenship, One Rule for All.

National has battled to set out its position on issues since its election day disaster.

It slipped to 20.93 per cent of the vote, being trimmed to 27 seats in Parliament.

Mr English said National knew what principles it stood for.

It was the only party able to make them "the heart of government".

The tenor of this morning's speech was close to that of New Zealand First, which has long pushed for a clear determination of treaty principles enshrined in legislation.

In outlining the National Party principles, Mr English overlapped with New Zealand First, ACT and even United Future policy.

Those three parties chipped away at the National Party power base on election day, as voters moved to the centre.

"The fact that at times other parties decide to take up those principles is another victory in the war of ideas," said Mr English.

"But they are our principles."

National stood for enterprise, personal responsibility, strong families and communities, freedom and choice, limited government, national and personal security.

Mr English said National had made the Government address the leaking building crisis.

It had blown the whistle on health and safety legislation that would have hurt voluntary and sports organisations, leading to $250,000 fines if a volunteer was injured while helping out at a local club or fundraising for a charity.

- NZPA