Nats give ultimatum on terror bill
Justice Minister Andrew Little has agreed to meet National Leader Simon Bridges in a bid to get the party to support the Government’s new anti-terrorism legislation.
Bridges yesterday morning said National would pull its promised support for the bill’s first reading next week if Little did not meet him to discuss some proposed changes.
The withdrawal of support would mean the bill — aimed at preparing New Zealand for the possible return of people like Kiwi Jihadi Mark Taylor — would fail.
Little said yesterday afternoon that he would sit down with Bridges on Monday to discuss National’s concerns.
The bill aims to make it easier for authorities to deal with people who have returned to New Zealand after engaging in terrorism-related activities overseas.
The Green Party opposes the bill in its current form, meaning for it to pass its first reading it would need the support of National.
National had committed to support the bill in its first reading but it had a number of areas it wanted changed in the select committee process where MPs further refine legislation and make changes to proposed laws.
Little was critical of National’s approach to the bill, calling it “megaphone diplomacy” and accused Bridges of “politicking” over an important issue.
Despite this, he said he would meet Bridges and hear him out. He added National had a couple of changes to the bill that were worth discussing.
According to Little, Bridges approached him at 11.30am yesterday to tell him National would not support the first reading if the pair did not meet.
That’s just an hour after Bridges issued his ultimatum in a press release.
Little said he let National know 12 weeks ago that the Government planned on introducing the legislation but only learned the party wanted changes via a press release. He said that he has confidence that when it comes to issues of national security, Parliament makes decisions with much support across the House.
“I’m confident that we will achieve that on this occasion.”