Financial Review Debate — In Committee 03/18/2008
CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (National) : What does the Ministry of Justice do? Although with a Minister of the calibre of this one in the chair, the Hon Damien O’Connor, we will not get any answers, we will certainly be asking the questions. The Ministry of Justice plays a fundamental role in maintaining the rule of law in this country. It is extremely important that we have a civil and criminal justice system that works adequately. Much of the work that this ministry does is not simply party political; it is black-letter law, and it is of fundamental importance. Third Readings 03/13/2008
CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (National) : I will take a very brief call because I understand that we want the vote to be taken before the adjournment tonight. I must say, as a lawyer member of this place, that I do not really tolerate this kind of stuff with much ease. I think a lot of legislative drafting could be better than it is. I do not think it reflects very well on this House that from time to time we have to pass bills such as the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2) because of sloppy work done in the past. CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (National) : Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker— Russell Fairbrother: Oh, this will be good! CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (National) : I listened very carefully to what the New Zealand First member Pita Paraone said about the Māori Trustee and Māori Development Amendment Bill, because much of what he said made a lot of sense. The primary issue, as I understand it from what he said, is that there is a need to take a good look at the office of the Māori Trustee. I do not disagree with him, at all, for reasons I will explain in the course of this speech. When one goes through the history of the Māori Trustee, one sees there are serious issues that need to be addressed. |