by frog
There has been a suspicion for some time that the Minister of Foreign Affairs holds differing personal views on the issue of trade with China to those held collectively by Cabinet. So when Keith stood up today to ask the Minister about human rights abuse in China, there were a few waiting to see whether they would get a tradional Winston Peters answer, or a Labour-style fob off. It’s worth reading the full exchange but here’s a few quotes:
KEITH LOCKE (Green) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he agree with the United States State Department’s latest report, released on Tuesday, that China is “authoritarian” and continues to “deny … citizens basic human rights and fundamental freedoms”?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs) : I want to thank the member for asking my third question in 3 years and to tell him that New Zealand is a sovereign nation that forms its own views and assessments of other countries and nations.
That bit is what you’d expect from Labour rather than Winston.
Keith Locke: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. That does not answer any question. That could be a response to any question asked in this House; it does not address the specific question on the Order Paper.
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: With the greatest respect, Madam Speaker, we do not have our minds made up by Pol Pot or the Russians invading Afghanistan, or anybody else. Since 1947 when we adopted the Statute of Westminster, we have progressively been confident enough to make up our own minds on all these international issues, and that is what covers this question he is asking.
He’s back. So now we know he’s not a pod person after all.
Keith Locke: Does the Minister then agree with the Chinese Foreign Minister who claimed that raising human rights issues during the Olympics is anti-China; if he does not agree with the Chinese Foreign Minister, when will he be “speaking out”-to quote the US State Department’s report-against the Chinese Government’s continuing to “harass, detain, arrest, and imprison journalists, writers, activists, and defence lawyers and their families.”?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: In recognising important areas of difference between New Zealand and China on human rights, it does not follow that ending economic relationships, political dialogue, or sporting contact with China is the best way-
Rodney Hide: Who wrote this?
Probably not the same person who wrote this?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I wrote this-not a fool like that member, obviously, otherwise it would be unmitigated drivel if it came from him. I do not want to drop Mr Locke on his head like the dancing partner of Rodney Hide, but I want to say that New Zealand athletes will have the same rights as all Olympic athletes and that would apply to any other Olympic Games. Hopefully too, the athletes can count on the support of all New Zealanders when they compete.
Has he become Jekyll and Hyde?
Keith Locke: To be more specific, has he received reports that China’s migrant construction workers labouring to revamp Beijing for the Olympics-workers who are mostly poor migrants from the countryside-face routine exploitation, work in dangerous conditions, have no access to medical treatment, often go unpaid, and have no right to strike or have independent trade unions; and will he publicly condemn this rather than give some vague, gentle encouragement of China?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: At the last election, and at every election for quite a few years, I promised, like most members of Parliament, my responsibility and my efforts and energy to the progression of the social and economic welfare of New Zealanders. I have not spent all my time trying to find some problem in some far-flung country and sought to make it the main concern of this Parliament.
So, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is not interested in the problems in other countries? Why then does he want the portfolio? Perhaps the need for a trade agreement has turned him into the Minister of Fonterra Affairs.
Published in Justice & Democracy | Parliament by frog on Thu, March 13th, 2008
Tags: , China, foreign affairs, Free trade, Frog, frogblog, greens, hansard, human rights, Keith Locke, new zealand, Parliament, rodney hide, winston peters
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Although frog did link to it, some frogblog readers may have missed this evidence of NZ First’s extraordinary display of duplicity. Makes it clear the NZ First really does stand for nothing other than the baubles of power:
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And for more, let’s compare today’s:
with this from 2002
It’s also worth reading this speech on the WTO and this one on trade with China:
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Wow, that’s the first time I’ve had a “what the…?” moment when reading something from Keith Locke, who’s usually pretty sensible. I would’ve thought he was already pretty clear on the fact that question time only relates to ministerial responsibilities? Sadly, Winston has to take the party line on this issue and not pressure the FTA agreement too much while he’s wearing his ministerial hat.
(Although a question time that applied to the leaders of all parties would be really interesting, and potentially incredibly embarrassing for parties that never release any policy
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I agree that it’s sad that Winston does not view part of his job as FA minister to actively pressure countries on developing abuses of human rights, as well as cuddling up to our friends. (Although it’s pretty typical of Winston’s NZ-centric attitude) We know he’s been an extraordinarily good Foreign Affairs minister in that second sense, but come on- human rights have to be just as important as that.
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Chinas problems have to be looked at in light of its population (ie)demanding diddely squat for its workers could be argued as highly extravagant.
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I don’t think you can compare China and Zimbabwe as China is “smoking”.
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Winstons previous rantings on immigration have been written off as racist. There is nothing to say that immigrants are better or worse than residents however do we need to import over population when NZ’s longterm comparative advantage is in agriculture?
Constables England has long gone with Dick Whittington and Tom Thumb and “they” still want more and more people.
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As a person new to NZ I wasn’t aware of what a right-on and downright funky man that Keith Locke is. This questioning of Winston (funnily enough I already know who HE is!) is awesome.
I hope Keith does OK in the upcoming election this year, where is he on the party list? Oh, number five currently I see. Go Keith!
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Just a note, seeing you’re new to NZ- politicians at #6 or higher on a party list are guaranteed a seat if their party exceeds the 5% threshhold, and in most cases politicians at #7 are likely to qualify even with votes under 6%, due to wastage from votes for parties that didn’t reach 5% or win an electorate seat.
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