Foreshore and Seabed Bill is passed
18 November 2004 The Foreshore and Seabed Bill is set to become law. Parliament has passed the contentious legislation after fast-tracking it under urgency this week. Sixty-six MPs voted in favour while 53 voted against. The Labour-Progressive coalition was able to pass the bill with the 13 vote-backing of New Zealand First. Nanaia Mahuta has done an about-face over her position on the foreshore and seabed bill. The Tainui MP originally said she could not support the bill, crossing the floor when it was first introduced to Parliament. But she says she decided to give Labour her vote at the bill's third reading for purely pragmatic reasons. She warns the issue is not going to die just because the bill has been passed. |