There’s no doubt that a clear majority of New Zealander's won’t mind if the blasphemy law is changed. Like our so-called representatives, most people probably weren’t even aware that they were breaking the law, often on a weekly if not daily basis, by uttering profanities.Keeping the blasphemy law on the books while the government runs around in circles is just stupid! It's a pitiful decision that will only waste time and money. But don’t tell that to the decrepit old fools in the out-dated National party.
On Wednesday, Stuff reported:
Good heavens! Blasphemy law remains in New Zealand after National and Maori Party vote down repealSo much for the current government standing for less bureaucracy then.
New Zealand's blasphemy law will remain after the National and Maori parties voted against removing it (file photo).
OMG, could this be true? It's still illegal to blaspheme in New Zealand.
Parliament had the opportunity to remove decades-old anti-blasphemy laws but, heaven's above, bailed out on Tuesday night.
Labour MP Chris Hipkins introduced an amendment to remove anti-blasphemy laws but both the National Party and the Maori Party voted against throwing it out of the Crimes Act.
It's understood National changed its mind about dealing with the law quickly and with the help of the Maori Party stopped it going through.
Instead, the government wanted to go through the process of select committee and give the public the opportunity to submit on the potential law change.
The intention was to include the blasphemy law in the next Crimes Act Amendment Bill, which was being worked through but there was no specific timeframe for when it might make it to Parliament.
On Wednesday English said his preference was to "go through the proper process rather than just spontaneous amendments on the floor of the House".
Instead of removing the draconian blasphemy law, which is never applied, the National and Maori parties have ensured that Parliament’s time and resources are wasted on a debate that doesn’t need to occur.
Clearly the only people who will submit on keeping the law are religious nutters, who are obviously a small minority in New Zealand. They do not represent public opinion and the law should have simply been changed because it needs to be changed and will be changed.
National’s real reason for not supporting the law change? Well they just didn’t want to vote for an amendment put forward by a Labour MP, which just goes to show how childish and inefficient the current government is. What a bunch of policy wonks!
