It has announced a public consultation on proposed changes
to the Human Rights Act 1993
“… to strengthen protections against speech that incites
hatred and discrimination; and seeking New Zealanders’ views about how they
would make New Zealand more socially cohesive”.
Writer George Orwell would have relished the language applied by Beehive spin doctors to describing the objective. The government is launching a “social cohesion programme to address incitement of hatred and discrimination”.
We imagine this is not intended to discourage or eliminate
discrimination of the sort that bestows favours or privileges when the
government promotes an “us” and “them” society through the increasing
development of Crown-Maori partnerships.
Treating Maori and non-Maori separately is reflected in a
raft of policies, as evidenced (for example) in the
latest announcement on the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund.
Final decisions had yet to be made on how the full Housing
Acceleration Fund would be used, Housing Minister Megan Woods said this week,
but $350 million has been ring-fenced for a Māori Infrastructure Fund.
So where is a fund that has been ring-fenced for other
ethnicities?
The government and its supporters will insist this is
“positive” discrimination which makes it an acceptable arrangement – a
necessary one, even – under the Treaty of Waitangi, although it seems to be at
odds with today’s announcement of a significant programme of work to create a
safer, more inclusive society.
The programme is part of the response to recommendations
from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch
mosques and builds on existing initiatives by government “to strengthen social
cohesion”.
The Associate Minister for Social Development and
Employment, Priyanca Radhakrishnan said:
“Our diversity extends across ethnicity, culture, gender
identities and expressions, religion, values and beliefs, ages, disabilities,
sexual orientation, and the structure of our families.
“We are stronger as a nation because of this diversity
but to maximise that strength, we need to create a society where our diverse
communities are able to access opportunities, and express differences of
opinion in a way that is safe.”
The Treaty of Waitangi – a three-clause document capable of
being interpreted to justify whatever a government says it wants to do when
Maori are affected – looms large in considerations.
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said:
“The context for creating a socially cohesive society in
Aotearoa New Zealand is underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Māori
perspectives and the Māori-Crown relationship.”
He acknowledged that protecting our right to freedom of
expression but balancing it with protections against ‘hate speech’
“…is something that requires careful consideration and a
wide range of input.”
Public submissions are open from 25 June to 6 August 2021.
Among other announcements, the government has recognised it
was somewhat miserly with the help it initially offered in the aftermath of the
Canterbury flood. It has dipped into its money box and come up with $4
million to support flood-affected farmers.
Oh – and let the record show that Phil Twyford has delivered
two speeches related not to his arms control portfolio but to his trade
responsibilities.
Latest from the Beehive
Hate speech
Social
cohesion programme to address incitement of hatred and discrimination
The Government is launching a significant programme of work
to strengthen social cohesion in New Zealand and create a safer, more inclusive
society.
Today it is announcing public consultation on the latest
programme of work on proposed changes to the Human Rights Act 1993 to
strengthen protections against speech that incites hatred and discrimination;
and seeking New Zealanders’ views about how they would make Aotearoa New
Zealand more socially cohesive.
The Ministry of Justice is seeking public feedback on
proposed changes to the Human Rights Act 1993 that aim to strengthen
protections against speech that incites hatred and discrimination.
The Ministry of Social Development will lead a programme
talking to the public about whether there are changes people would like to see
to make Aotearoa New Zealand more socially cohesive, and what success might
look like.
Public submissions for both work programmes are open from 25
June to 6 August 2021.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE.
4 comments:
Why don't the government get a digital rubber stamp made up which says "The context for creating ...................... in Aotearoa New Zealand is underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Māori perspectives and the Māori-Crown partnership."
They should issue it to every government department and instruct them to use it on EVERY new policy or proposal for change, no matter the topic or relevance. That's pretty much what they're doing at the moment!
"Today it is announcing public consultation on the latest programme of work on proposed changes to the Human Rights Act 1993 to strengthen protections against speech that incites hatred and discrimination; and seeking New Zealanders’ views about how they would make Aotearoa New Zealand more socially cohesive."
Yeah right!! The only views that will be considered will be those in favour of their idea. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that those opposing the hate speech legislation end up on a list of likely future offenders which is then circulated to our woke Police Commissioner. If they make the new law retroactive they can just prosecute all those who submitted a negative submission.
The public submissions process is a complete joke. It exists to provide the illusion of public consultation whereas the outcome has already been decided, as per Maori Wards, Climate Change Commission etc.
When does criticism become hateful and who decides what is?
This is straight out of the Facist/Marxist rule book, smother free speech and criminalise and punish the "offender".
Push Back!
The Twisted Sister(s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ0ftoiIQxU
DeeM, You have summed it up exactly. In view of the Labour Government's track-record on Maori Wards in Councils; the Consultation about the proposed 'Hate Speech Laws' will be a whitewash job.
The die is already cast. Nothing that the public may say in opposition to the proposals will count for a dime. It is a done deal already. These laws are a tool to assist the imposition of the Labour-Maori Party agenda. Silencing criticism of their race-based policies is simply a way of making it look acceptable - because there has been no dissent or opposition visible.
It is not hate speech that is creating incitement and division, it is the Ardern Government that is guilty of that crime against our society.
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