Two years ago today, the Green party made a deal with the Labour government: they would agree to support the Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Bill to stop it from getting any worse, provided the bill had a sunset clause.
Today, I noticed that the government had tried to go back on the deal. A little-noticed part of the Criminal Justice Reform Bill proposed to extend the life of the (now) Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act to 2010. The clauses have been removed by the select committee, but in the report the government made sour comments about their disappointment that Green and National MPs opposed an extension, and there's some possibility that they will seek to re-introduce it via a Supplementary Order Paper.
This IMHO would be violating the original deal with the Greens that the Act would have a limited life, after which it would expire. And I think it would be appropriate for the Greens to remind the government that they expect them to keep to their agreements. Otherwise, there's no reason for the Greens to keep theirs - for example, the one that keeps the government in power.
3 comments:
Even from the Government's perspective it should be removed - when the next batch of prisoner compensation comes out they can blame the National party!
I'd note, however, that the Green Party is quite happy to allow the provision in the Act that extends the limitation period for prisoners (so that they're treated less favourably than other victims) to continue in perpetuity.
Posted by Graeme Edgeler : 6/01/2007 05:35:00 PM
Two years ago today? If that's right then this is meaningless because that would make it the last Parliament (the 2002-2005 parliament. Deals last for the terms of parliament.
The Greens can try and get a better deal from National in the next parliament, having incredibly managed to never get themselves into a position of any power (and responsibilty) in spite of eight years of Labour-led government.
Posted by Anonymous : 6/01/2007 10:12:00 PM
The Greens, always being shafted by Labour. Labour might be full of nice and well intentioned people, but they could treat their friends a little better, lest they realise how little they get for their support...
As for National... liars and untrustworthy bastards to the last one. If they want the Greens support, they need a concrete demonstration why such is deserved - otherwise I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.
Posted by Anonymous : 6/02/2007 04:37:00 AM
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