Andrew Dickens: Get Parliament back to work

Can we get Parliament back to work? At a time when the Prime Minister is urging us to work work work for growth growth growth, Parliament is playing around with unproductive publicity stunts.   Winston is still banging on about using Aotearoa in the house. 10 minutes debating time was spent on the topic.   There is no bill on the floor asking for a name change. We know the sorts of people who like to say Aotearoa New Zealand to make them feel good.   And whatever happened to free speech? No bill, no story, but Winston’s voters are lapping it up.   Glad you’re entertained.   Meanwhile the Treaty Principles Bill continues to frustrate.   Yesterday Jenny Shipley and Chris Finlayson turned up to rail against the law, earlier Hekia Parata.   It’s quite amazing the parade of National Party grandees who have been so keen to come out against the bill.   It shows the bill is not part of the National party DNA. It never has been.   It’s the plaything of Act and it’s 8 per cent support.   And no disrespect, I know you care deeply about the general idea, but the bill is a dog. It’s sucking up valuable time and energy and money.   It’s doing nothing for our productivity or our economy.   It’s not going to happen and yet the farce rumbles on.    Glad you're entertained.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.