Aotearoa Wins!
Good times as parliament rejects the Treaty Principles Bill.
And this is what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna put a call to you
'Cause I feel good tonight
And everything's gonna be
Right-right-right
I'm gonna have a good time tonight
Rock and roll music gonna play all night
Come on, baby, it won't take long
Only take a minute just to sing my song
Songwriters: Kirk Pengilly / Michael Kelland Hutchence.
Lately, these last 18 months or so, we haven’t had too many positive news stories, so if you could indulge me for one moment…
In Your Face, David Seymour!
112 votes to 11, that’s about the same proportion that made submissions opposing the bill and about the same as the vote for ACT, which all adds up to—you lose!
You’ll never win this because you and your views will always be on the margins, even though you portray yourself as being supported by a silent majority.
You’ll never get a referendum because no future PM of this country could ever be as cravenly spineless as Christopher “the jellyfish” Luxon.
Whew, thanks for that.
I needed it - and after a really crummy first half of this government, I think we, the half of the country that didn’t vote for them, needed what happened yesterday, with the defeat of the Treaty Principles Bill at second reading.
My apologies; if you followed my Facebook post with comments during yesterday's speeches, some of this might seem familiar, depending, I suppose, on how much you celebrated last night.
David Seymour was first to speak, but he didn’t last long as someone from the gallery told him what they thought. Gerry Brownlee squealed like a stuck pig and took on a glower that seldom left him through the afternoon in what was a woeful performance, even by his standards.
"Where are the police helping us with this?" - Gerry Brownlee.
“Gee, that didn't take long! Think we've heard enough from Seymour” - Me.
Seymour soon resumed, “…for 50 years, the unelected judges, the Waitangi Tribunal, and the public servants have defined them instead. They say the Treaty is a "partnership between races". They say one race has a special place in New Zealand…”
It was just lie, upon lie, upon lie from Seymour, the blank, unthinking faces of his backbenchers behind him, heartless halfwits, mute to the misinformation being conveyed. I commented, “Seymour says our society can't continue with the Treaty Principles - well, it was working just fine till you came along, pal.”
By convention, the leaders of the “major” parties do not attend parliament on Thursdays, but this was far from a conventional day. While Christopher Luxon, who enabled this, was absent, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins was up next.
Chippy sounded pissed off: ‘This is a grubby little bill, born of a grubby little deal. It has had a colossal impact on the fabric of our nation, and this bill will forever be a stain on our country.’
I wrote, “Chippy sounds like a leader putting his hand up to lead the country. Where is Christopher Luxon? Off having a cup of tea? He was in Wellington this morning.”
Hipkins finished by saying, “This debate has not been helpful for the fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is well and truly time for it to be over.”
Next was Green co-leader Marama Davidson, who, if I could be permitted a comment on appearance, looked striking with her short hairstyle and full of determination. She missed the opportunity to protest against the bill due to her cancer treatment, and it was great to see her smiling alongside colleague Tamatha Paul.
Marama focussed on representing those who had made submissions, which was good and right but got into trouble for noting the absence of the Prime Minister.
I commented, “WTF—is Marama not allowed to point out that the PM isn't there? That the leader is absent. Gerry is determined to protect Luxon. This isn't a usual case of not mentioning an absent member; the PM is MIA.”
As you’re probably aware, the rules of parliament preclude mentioning absent members. This rule was unevenly applied through the afternoon, with Casey Costello going on at length about Winston Peters catching a plane.
By way of example, Marama noted, “Māori are three times more likely to be arrested and convicted of a cannabis-related crime than non-Māori, but let us be clear, for doing the same thing … Ignore their myth of Māori privilege.”
In Luxon’s absence, Paul Goldsmith represented National, and it was uninspiring stuff. I commented, “Is Goldsmith's role to bore people to sleep?” and then, “This is so feeble, so emotionless after Chippy and Marama. Good lord, check this man's pulse.”
If National’s deputation of Goldsmith seemed weak, Casey Costello representing NZ First was downright odd. Hello? Which group of people in this country are most impacted by smoking-related diseases? You might want to sit this one out, Casey, I thought.
Costello wore a cowardly custard yellow jacket, presumably in sympathy with her defeated coalition partner, but I noticed something else. “Why the hell is she wearing a poppy? It's more than two weeks until ANZAC Day, or are NZ First so patriotic they wear one all year round?”
Somewhat less kindly, I noted, “Casey has the warmth of a prison guard in an early 80s Aussie soap.” Which sounds mean, but at least I didn’t say she had the same hairstylist.
I did enjoy her last statement, “If New Zealand First believed this bill had merit, we would have supported it. We do not. New Zealand First does not commend this bill to the House.” Better late than never? Yeah, Nah.
Next was Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, with beautiful singing and words, a strong speaker and the face of opposition to this bill in those images that went around the world. She acknowledged those gone who didn’t live to see this outcome.
This video of highlights is worth a look if you didn’t watch the debate; it begins with Hana:
Green MP Tamatha Paul, at the centre of much misleading controversy of late, was next and was damned good. I commented: “A delightful moment with Tamatha and Chloe sharing a laugh. Strong future leaders are coming through on the left. It's great to see the three parties of the left united.”
“To every tangata Tiriti who made their voices heard and said that that little man does not represent your views, kia ora to you.” - Tamatha Paul.
National’s James Meager took the floor with a grim display of moaning from someone touted as a rising star.
While others chose wise words and made profound statements, James moaned about critics of the process. Labour’s Duncan Webb noted when rising to take his turn: “Unlike James Meager, I'm not going to spend 10 minutes whining about the process.”
My comment was, “Jeez, what a whiny little creep this Nat is. I thought he was their big hope. He looks like another Simeon, albeit one who shaves.”
Willie Jackson was up and trying his luck; I said, “Is Gerry asleep? Willy just pointed out Luxon wasn't there three or four times - Mr Brownlee inconsistent - surely not.”
His luck didn’t hold, though, as he attempted to finish with, “David Seymour: you're a disgrace to this House, and, when it comes to the Treaty of Waitangi, you will always be a liar. Kia ora, Mr Speaker.”
Gerry did not say Kia Ora, he told Jackson to withdraw and apologise but Willie replied, “Well, Mr Speaker, if I was to withdraw and apologise, it would be an insult to 270,000 select committee submitters, who all think that Mr Seymour is a liar, also.”
Jackson was ordered from the house and departed without apology.
I have to confess that my interest waned for the remainder of the speeches, although Duncan Webb was excellent and circumvented the ban on acknowledging lies by saying, “The bill is a lie, it says one thing and the truth is another”.
I’m not a drinker these days, but I’d have a zero percenter with Duncan anytime.
The rejection of this bill has been so significant that the usual rules went out the window. Some may harumph at the loss of decorum, but I fully understand and support the haka performed by Te Pāti Māori during the first reading, as well as Willie Jackson's departure from the house, refusing to apologise for telling the truth during the second.
Last night, Willie posted, “Before I switch off for the day, I’d like to take a moment to apologise to David Seymour………… for absolutely nothing.” Too bloody right, Willie. If the rules say that you cannot tell the truth, they may not be so sacred and worth following.
Obviously, we can’t have MPs willy-nilly calling each other liars. But an exception should’ve been made here because Seymour has been saying things that are not what the truth is, and I’m sure Willie could quite capably detail which words have been lies, although it might save time if he was to highlight the things that were actually true.
There are other fights ahead. Some have said this was a distraction, but even if that is what Seymour intended—a diversion of attention from his ATLAS agenda of privatisation and increased inequality—it was more than that.
This was a fight for the heart of our nation, a choice between honour and respect and lies and racism. I’m absolutely delighted by this outcome and proud to have played a small part in it alongside so many New Zealanders.
And now, we must turn to oppose other things—there are many—the Regulatory Standards Bill, the degradation of our social services, especially healthcare, and attacks on workers' rights.
There are other battles ahead, but for now, let us enjoy this hard-won victory, which proved that even with big money and mass messaging of misinformation, it is still possible for the truth and the people to win.
In Your Face, David Seymour!
To end today, Jimmy Barnes and INXS with a feel-good party song, Good Times.
Absolutely smashed it Nick. A great victory to see this terrible bill gone. The cowardly leaders were gone too including Potaka. A defining moment in our history and was incredibly proud of those MPs including Chippy, Hana,Marama and Duncan as standouts. Great future leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand.
"In your face, David Seymour!" ...for this. Unfortunately, he's the architect of so much more pain, misery and disrespect. May those things also rise up to bite him.