Dog microchip amendment fails
United Future has sided with Labour in the first attempt to do away with the microchipping of dogs, in planned new dog control laws.
The Green Party's amendment to cancel the need to microchip all dogs failed by one vote in Parliament last night. United Future MP Gordon Copeland opposed the Greens, saying public safety should take priority. (Yes, it is, and United Future should leave Parliament.. for our safety!) He says if microchipping can prevent just one attack on a child then he thinks it is worth doing. (show me how? The power of parliament people who think they have power... ultimately, they will fall)
New Zealand First also sided with Labour, giving it the support it needed to defeat the Greens.
The discussion also brought the unusual sight of National and the Greens working side by side.
National's Agriculture spokesman David Carter described the Greens' amendment as a commonsense one, and was strident in urging New Zealand First and United Future to support it.
Despite last night's vote, the microchipping debate still has life in it - National's David Carter has a similar amendment which has yet to be debated by Parliament.
And the Government clearly intends sticking to its guns.
Justice Minister Mark Burton has talked up the importance of microchipping, and the need to link dogs to their owners. He says the original enabling legislation was passed by an overwhelming majority in the face of some horrific dog inflicted injuries.
Mr Burton accused some of his opponents of changing their tune in a bid to win cheap votes.
The Green Party's amendment to cancel the need to microchip all dogs failed by one vote in Parliament last night. United Future MP Gordon Copeland opposed the Greens, saying public safety should take priority. (Yes, it is, and United Future should leave Parliament.. for our safety!) He says if microchipping can prevent just one attack on a child then he thinks it is worth doing. (show me how? The power of parliament people who think they have power... ultimately, they will fall)
New Zealand First also sided with Labour, giving it the support it needed to defeat the Greens.
The discussion also brought the unusual sight of National and the Greens working side by side.
National's Agriculture spokesman David Carter described the Greens' amendment as a commonsense one, and was strident in urging New Zealand First and United Future to support it.
Despite last night's vote, the microchipping debate still has life in it - National's David Carter has a similar amendment which has yet to be debated by Parliament.
And the Government clearly intends sticking to its guns.
Justice Minister Mark Burton has talked up the importance of microchipping, and the need to link dogs to their owners. He says the original enabling legislation was passed by an overwhelming majority in the face of some horrific dog inflicted injuries.
Mr Burton accused some of his opponents of changing their tune in a bid to win cheap votes.
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