Trump 2.0, treaty bill changes and media controversy – Audrey Young

Pabio Posted on November 7, 2024

His concession speech this morning was full of aspirational and meaningless rhetoric, like telling his supporters that “only when it’s dark enough can you see the stars” and that “the light of America’s promise will always shine as long as we never give up and as long as we continue to fight.”

Trump’s victory speech was notable for its recognition of the enormous divisions in the United States and his commitment to “heal” the country. It was a feeling that was missing from his speech the first time.

Unfortunately for the global economy and for trading nations like New Zealand, he has also committed to his promises, which include a protectionist program and increase in customs duties on imports.

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The worry around Trump 2.0 is not just about what he has promised, but also about the extent to which he will use his mandate to pursue an unbridled agenda.

CNN anchor Chris Wallace put it this way: “This is a man who has been indicted twice, a man who survived two assassination attempts… four indictments, almost 100 charges and he looks like he’s been through it all. I don’t understand how a man like him can’t feel extremely empowered to do whatever he wants.

Trump supporters celebrate near his home and resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6. Photo / AFP

The most pressing issues facing Trump are the wars in Ukraine, which he has promised to end even before his inauguration on January 20, and Israel’s wars against Hamas and Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon quickly issued a congratulatory statement last night, as did Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who has built a constructive relationship with former Trump vice president Mike Pence on trade issues.

Amendments to the Treaty Principles Bill

David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which is presented todayoverrides principles previously set out by the Waitangi Tribunal and tribunals (such as partnership, active protection, participation, good faith and reparation) and produces new ones, purportedly based on the treaty itself.

Some changes were made from what was proposed in his previous Cabinet paperin particular the very problematic article two – which in the Treaty guarantees tino rangatiratanga. Previously, the newspaper said the principles would recognize the rights that the hāpu and iwi had when they signed the treaty in 1840, but that these rights would only differ from the rights of other peoples when they were specified in the regulations of the treaty. treaty, in other laws or in agreements with the Crown. This has been interpreted as proposing a radical extinction of customary rights.

Law chief David Seymour will introduce his controversial Treaty Principles Bill to the House later today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It is understood that the Bill removed it to include the treaty settlement reservation, but to state that the rights of 1840 will be recognized, but that they will be the same rights for all. This seems like a softening, but the problem is that customary rights are not rights accessible to all but, unless extinguished by law, they are only accessible to people with an established link with a place. Thus, the debate on the Bill, its meaning and its effects would continue for six months, and then be rejected by all parties except the Act.

It is to National’s advantage that the bill is introduced early so that it can be passed before the 2025 budget season.

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The Waitangi Tribunal’s letter to ministers on Tuesday evening – accompanying the second part of its interim report on the Treaty Principles Bill – suggests its relationship with the government is in tatters. This is the most scathing report ever produced by the court. But then again, there has never been a bill that proposes to undo 50 years of government policy development on the Treaty.

A day of excuses

Next Tuesday will be a memorable day in Parliament when the government publishes a apology to survivors of abuse in state care. Before the Prime Minister apologizes to the House, seven public sector leaders from Education, Health, Social Development, Police, Crown Law and Oranga Tamariki will apologize, all as the new civil service commissioner, Mr Brian Roche.

Members’ travel diary

Christopher Luxon’s favorite minister at the moment is Commerce Minister Todd McClay, whose extensive travel schedule over the past year is paying off. After securing a high-profile trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council last week, he traveled to Shanghai this week for a trade exhibition attended by around 80 New Zealand companies, and then to Guangzhou.

Commerce Minister Todd McClay's extensive travel program over the past year is paying off. Photo / Duncan Brown — Commerce Minister Todd McClay’s extensive travel program over the past year is paying off. Photo / Duncan Brown

Racing Minister Winston Peters was in Australia for both the Melbourne Cup and for meetings with his foreign affairs counterparts from Australia, Penny Wong, and India, S. Jaishankar, at a conference focused about India, Raisina Down Under.

And four MPs were in Australia this week for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference: Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni, who led the delegation, her colleague Willie Jackson, National’s Dana Kirkpatrick and Lawrence Xu-Nan of the Greens.

Quote without quoting

From yesterday’s question time:

Speaker: A point of order, the Right Honorable Winston – the Right Honorable Chris Hipkins.

Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: You should stand down and apologize for that, Mr Speaker.

Speaker: I’ll do it immediately.

Micro-quiz

Who is New Zealand’s ambassador to the United States? (Answer below.)

piece of brick

This goes to my colleague at ZB who asked the Prime Minister on Monday what Winston Peters’ KPIs were for his participation in the Melbourne Cup. A rare misstep for Jason. It’s not all bubbles and canapes. It is a $2 billion industry that supports approximately 14,000 jobs. And Peters was also meeting the Indian foreign minister in Oz.

Bunch

This goes to Labor MP and former TAB bookmaker Kieran McAnulty, who refused to criticize Peters’ participation in the Melbourne Cup and admitted that he too had wanted to go when he was racing minister but had been unable to get permission.