Monday, 24 May 2004

Dunne demands constitutional reform

United Future leader Peter Dunne today strongly reiterated his call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements.

Speaking during the special debate on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Parliament, Mr Dunne said there was a need for a renewed and informed appreciation by all New Zealanders of the role of the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as the other institutions that govern the country.

Mr Dunne has previously warned that New Zealand now has constitutional change by stealth, for example the change in Privy Council arrangements, changes to the title of Queen’s Counsel and the implementation by a bare majority of the New New Zealand Supreme Court.

Speaking later, he said “Now I see there is to be a review of our oaths and declarations with the possible removal of an oath to the Queen.

“New Zealanders of all political persuasions rightly fear that this is part of a creeping republicanism agenda which has no public mandate.”

Mr Dunne said it was essential that New Zealand constitution be changed in an orderly, informed, and agreed manner, rather than in a secretive, furtive way by one party.

ENDS

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