Ele Ludemann: National’s alternative to Treaty Principles Bill

National has been roundly criticised from one side for allowing the Treaty Principals Bill to go to the select committee and the other for not letting it proceed beyond the second reading.

There might have been less criticism from those concerned about the proliferation of undefined Treaty principles in legislation has the party been more clear about its reasoning and explained its alternative, as Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith did on Thursday:

Ele Ludemann: Bill down but debate will continue

The Treaty Principles Bill has been voted down at its second reading.

Act, which prompted the Bill and was the only party to support it yesterday, has lost this fight but while the Bill was voted down, the debate will continue.

Some 90% submissions to the select committee opposed the Bill but that doesn’t reflect public opinion.

Mike's Minute: My thoughts on the chaos in the House

If you watched Parliament, as I did yesterday afternoon, you could feel it building.

Question Time focused largely on the Treaty Principles Bill. There was a growing angst, Gerry Brownlee the Speaker spent far too much time calling for order, it was low rent, which isn't unheard of, but full of needless aggro.

Then came the so-called debate.

Mike's Minute: Does Luxon regret this part of the coalition agreement?

As I watch the Prime Minister, as I do for Post-Cabinet each Monday, I wonder whether he regrets ever entertaining ACT's Treaty Principles Bill.

Because every time he talks about it, he dances on the head of a pin.

It was suggested that the draft bill was headed to Cabinet for discussion yesterday. So a little bit of frothing at the mouth from the media as they fired off question after question as to where this thing might be heading.