Candidate Survey: Seventh Response

From Claire Bleakley, Green Party candidate for Wairarapa. Claire is ranked 28th on the Green party list.

If you could ensure the passage of one act on one issue in the next Parliament, what would it be?

To help all houses to get insulation, solar power water heaters and energy efficient bulbs into their homes. All new homes and government buildings change to solar options. All government local body vehicles changed to hybrid fuel propulsion.

Or...

The ability for a person to choose the type of health treatment, like Osteopathy, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy, from fully registered and accountable, NZQA approved practitioners for their illness.

What three other electoral candidates or sitting MPs do you think are most similar to you in their political views?

Jeanette Fitzsimmons, Sue Kedgley, Jon Carapiet.

MMP is about coalitions: What sitting MP who is NOT in your party do you think is most similar to you in their political views?

I cannot say, I can only say that listening, respecting and working with all views will be the best option.

Do you support or oppose:

...raising the drinking age?

I support raising the drinking age for those who buy alcohol.

...legalising marijuana (or pharmaceuticals based on it) for medical use?

Decriminalising, not legalising, marijuana for use in conditions that are best controlled by it. Pharmaceutical synthetic derivatives are already able to be prescribed.

...decriminalising or legalising marijuana for recreational use?

Decriminalising marijuana for recreational use then treating it with strict guidelines as with all substances that are open to abuse. Having Education promoting a drug free lifestyle as the way to go.

...allowing same-sex couples to adopt children?

Yes if they are able to fit the full conditions for adoption. In all situations it is the child who is most important.

...amending the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry?

I support the Civil Union Bill which has amendments in the Marriage Act.

...allowing voluntary euthanasia or physician assisted suicide?

Not voluntary euthanasia, however the removal of life support systems if requested but continuing treatment of pain associated with the illness in cases that are terminal.

I think we need to work at encouraging a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy eating, stress release and excercise. Promoting the importance of preventative health, allowing the person choice as to what type of treatment option they want to follow either from medical or Complementary Health practitioners. Promoting healthy options so that euthanasia is not an option that a person would consider. Promoting Te Whare Tapa Whaa as the goal for health outcomes.

...state funding of integrated schools?

Yes if the school meets the requirements and standards of the Ministry of Education and does not charge school fees.

...the retention of sedition as a crime in the Crimes Act?

...the retention of blasphemous libel as a crime in the Crimes Act?

The Crimes Act needs to be re-visited and amended where applicable.

...further restrictions on hate speech?

Not sure, we need to be taught respect of all peoples, we cannot keep legislating for peoples bad behaviour. Education into respect should stop Hate speech which is disgusting and should not be fanned by excessive attention.

....the use of indefinite detention without trial for those subject to a security risk certificate?

No, charges must be laid within the normal time period.

...restoring the death penalty for serious crime?

No.

...Georgina Beyer's Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill?

All genders identities need to be free of discrimination in law.

..Gordon Copeland's New Zealand Bill of Rights (Private Property Rights) Amendment Bill?

New Zealanders have the right to own property without excessive trespass of others.

...entrenching the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act as supreme law?

Yes

...New Zealand's participation in the International Criminal Court?

Yes, it is important to have input to international justice forums.

...lowering MMP's threshold from the present 5%?

I think that the 5% is a good threshold and appears to be reflecting the varied population principles.

With the benefit of hindsight, how should the government have handled the Ahmed Zaoui case?

The government should have been transparent in their dealings and sought information from all sources pertaining to Ahmed Zaoui. These should have gone through the normal judicial processes and had a group of peers hear the case. They should have listened to the Refugee Board recommendations not over ridden them.

As usual, Claire's answers reflect her own views, and do not necessarily represent those of the Green party.