Maori Interference?

Fair’s fair, right? I’ve criticised Australia’s Howard government for seeming to interfere in the domestic politics of other countries, so when a Member of the New Zealand Parliament does the same, they should be criticised, too.

Naturally, it’s not quite as simple as that.

Parliament’s justice and electoral select committee had gone to Australia on a four-day trip to study election funding law and victim’s rights. Two days into the trip, Maori Party MP Hone Harawira flew to Alice Springs to meet with Aboriginal leaders. Harawira said it was a last-minute decision—and only told his colleagues Tuesday night—but he bought the ticket while he was still in New Zealand.

About a month ago, Harawira, a former Maori activist, called Australian Prime Minister John Howard a “racist bastard” for Howard’s heavy-handed response to yet another report of sexual abuse and violence among Aborigines in the Northern Territory (I criticised Howard’s actions here). Harawira’s outburst prompted a rebuke from New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark who reminded Members of Parliament not to interfere in the domestic politics of other countries.

Harawira, reportedly with film crew in tow, visited Aborginal communities because, he said, “I wanted to discuss the racist piece of legislation that no one out here has been consulted on.”

The NZ Herald reported:

Mr Harawira told the ABC on Wednesday he wanted to highlight what he described as a racist military invasion by the Australian Government. He also accused the Labor opposition of political cowardice.

Some—including other Maori Members of Parliament—have criticised Harawira for interfering in Australia’s domestic politics while “ignoring” similar issues among Maori here in New Zealand. Others will, no doubt, defend his actions, perhaps arguing that it provides a balance to both the Howard Government and the opposition Australian Labor Party, which supported Howard’s moves.

Most people would have to agree—whether they agree with Harawira or not—that were he still just an activist, it would have been acceptable for him to criticise the Howard Government’s actions or meet with Aboriginal leaders. Any private person has that right, and some would argue that indigenous/first nations peoples have a special duty to speak up for each other.

However, as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament he’s also part of the governing body of New Zealand and as such his actions imply support from that body—especially since he was in Australia on a taxpayer-funded trip (though he paid for the flight to Alice Springs himself). Does that mean Harawira checked his freedom of speech at the doors of Parliament?

The reality, we are told, is yes, he did. Politicians aren’t supposed to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. But that’s simply not true, is it? It depends on who’s criticising whom.

American Members of Congress criticise other countries—even allies—all the time. Howard criticised US Senator Barack Obama. This sort of thing goes on frequently. So why is it any different for Harawira?

Is it because his views are so forcefully and bluntly expressed? Is it because those views aren’t popular with some Australians and New Zealanders? Or is it because of his brown skin?

I think Harawira was justified in his criticisms, but he should have known better than to drag the NZ Parliament into it. He ought to pay back the full cost of his trip to Australia. NZ politicians should also feel free to criticise Harawira all they want—just don’t pretend that there’s really any rule about non-interference by ordinary Members of Parliament.

The issue with Howard and Downer interfering in other countries’ domestic politics is that they’re leaders of their country, not ordinary Members of Parliament outside of Government. Ordinary MPs can (and do) criticise other countries all the time, and I for one am glad they do. If they lose their freedom to speak, what hope do the rest of us have?

Update 11/08/07: While reaction continues to be mixed, Harawira has had some support from Aboriginal leaders. What I found especially interesting was that on last night's TV news, he was shown accompanying Aborigines on a nighttime patrol, and he was obviously shocked at the level of drunkenness he encountered. He had to admit that it was far worse than in Maori communities. All of which would seem to suggest that he should have done this personal investigation before he started shooting his mouth off.