What do you call an MP who ran for a party running (along with race-baiting and bribery) a "law and order" platform, who then goes out and wantonly violates the law the very day after they are elected?
A hypocrite would be one answer. Sandra Goudie would be another. The day after she was re-elected as MP for Coromandel, she was helping to vandalise a native mangrove patch. Mangroves, as indigenous plants, are protected under Environment Waikato's Regional Coastal Plan. But rather than lobby the appropriate authorities to have the plan changed, or work to elect regional councillors who shared their views, Goudie and her friends decided to wade in with chainsaws. In doing so, they not only violated s 338(1)(a) of the RMA, but also displayed their utter contempt for both the law and the democratic process.
Environment Waikato is so far declining to prosecute. Fortunately, we don't have to rely on them. Under s 338(4) of the RMA, anyone may lay an information (effectively, bring charges) for violations of s 338(1). And I suggest that they do. Next time these vandals decide to fire up the chainsaws, someone should go there with a handicam, gather evidence, and bring charges. At the very least, it should spur the proper authorities into enforcing the law, rather than standing idly by.
As if defying the law wasn't enough for an MP from a "Law and Order" party she now believes she is above the law. According to the NZ Herald this morning "A National MP says a regional council will have a revolt on its hands if it tries to take legal action against her or anyone else involved in an illegal chainsaw attack on mangroves".
ReplyDeletei didn't realise National MPs were immune from the consequences breaking the law!
Yes, and supporters of the National party have been particularly vociferous in their support for prosecutions of other MPs perceived to be breaking the law ... Philip Field & Helen Clark being two recent examples.
ReplyDeletepeople should defy stuid laws
ReplyDeletegreens do it all the time when the destory GM crops
A community expresses its view. Some see it as willful destruction, others see it as valid protest.
ReplyDeletePersonally I like and appreciate mangroves but this is an example of civil disobidience being in the eye of the beholder.