Wed, 02 Dec 2009 6:29p.m.
Doug Schmuck
By Adam Ray
Northland MP John Carter has been criticised for helping a constituent in a land dispute which saw a law change without public input.
The amendment to the law would have allowed boatyard owner Doug Schmuck to get rights to use a public reserve in the town of Opua for his business.
“It makes us look like a tinpot country where anyone can get just get special clauses inserted in legislation if they know the right people,” says Greens co-leader Russel Norman.
Mr Schmuck says he has spent a decade and $200,000 in legal fees trying to resolve his dispute with a few locals over the land.
“The process should have never gone to Parliament,” he says. “The process should have been sorted in 1999.”
Parliament became involved after Mr Schmuck went to his local MP, Mr Carter, who then suggested he present his case to a select committee. Mr Carter says he was just helping out a constituent.
“What I am concerned about is the waste of taxpayer money, ratepayer money,” says Mr Carter. “This is a cost estimated to be $600,000 for a little issue.”
The select committee initially put forward an amendment giving Mr Schmuck, as boatyard owner, rights to use the reserve. That was amended once more, putting the decision in the hands of the local council.
“It’s been agreed it needs to be a general clause to apply to anybody,” says Mr Carter.
“John Carter's backtrack is clearly a flip-flop and an admission he was clearly wrong,” says Dr Norman.
Dr Norman has complained to the Speaker, saying public laws should not use private interests.
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