20 QUESTIONS FOR THE POLITICIANS . . .

 

  1. What reason was there for the original secrecy, other than keeping such controversial measures out of the arena of public debate?

 

  1. Why was there such urgency back in October 2001, given that the reported back Bill has still not had a second and third reading in May 2002?

 

3.      Why were these amendments redrafted once the Government knew they would become the subject of public submissions and scrutiny?

 

  1. Why was the Minister so reluctant to have this version released?

 

  1. Who was actually promoting this version?

 

  1. What does that say about ministerial influence on select committees?

 

  1. Was the Cabinet consulted and did it approve of these powers?

 

  1. Was the Alliance consulted and did it approve these powers?

 

  1. Was National consulted and did it approve these powers?

 

  1. Would the Government have proceeded with these amendments if Keith Locke had not blown the whistle, risking contempt of Parliament?

 

  1. Who devised the list of groups to be secretly consulted?

 

  1. Why was the CTU not on the original list of ‘confidential submitters’?

 

  1. Why were Maori never on the list to be consulted?

 

  1. Would the Government have proceeded with the original amendments if those confidential submissions had opposed them?

 

  1. Would MPs or anyone else outside the Select Committee ever have known what those handpicked groups had said and what notice the Select Committee took of their confidential submissions?

 

  1. Would National have supported these original amendments at the select committee and if they were reported back to the House still in this form?

 

  1. What about Act?

 

  1. New Zealand First?

 

  1. Peter Dunne?

 

  1.  Or the Alliance, especially if that would have defeated the amendments?