The Waitangi Fisheries dispute is in the courts because Parliament failed to say in the legislation who should benefit, says ACT Leader Richard Prebble.

"Appointing new commissioners as suggested by Tau Henare won't work, any more than the Alliance's proposal to elect commissioners," Mr Prebble said.

"Ordinary Maori are yet to see a snapper. Over 1,000 Maori fishermen who lost their livelihood when the quota were introduced are still on the beach and many are still unemployed.

"Parliament should insist that the Waitangi Fisheries Commission, instead of renting out fishing quota to foreign fishing companies, make fishing quota available to Maori who want to fish commercially.

"There should be the same law for all. When Parliament created the quota system, even though everyone 'owns' fish, Parliament granted the quotas to the people who did the fishing.

"The same principle should apply to Maori. The people who fish should have the quota. If Sir Tipene O'Regan wants some quota, he should get a fishing boat and go out fishing," Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

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