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Thread ID: 78531	2007-04-19 03:03:00	Trouble with understanding New Zealand legal system	Renmoo (66)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
542276	2007-04-19 07:30:00	All they do, is blame each other, whinge, and act like school kids. Most of them need a life. Cheeses Speedy, they got my money; don't let 'em have my life too ;)	R2x1 (4628)
542277	2007-04-19 07:54:00	Not quite right - should read "MPs are our Representatives, the Cabinet Ministers are just MP's who got a pay rise and a few extra perks for AVOIDING taking the blame (or - rarely - credit) for whatever they or their Department does or fails to do." :rolleyes: :D You are absolutely correct. It's a bit depressing to be reminded of what they actually do - no wonder they want to ban smacking for misbehaving children.	R2x1 (4628)
542278	2007-04-19 09:55:00	The Governor General doesn't really make these decisions. It is simply a courtesy to say "appointed." That's because the GG formally agrees to the choices & officially gives them a "warrant" for the job. . Which ones become Cabinet Ministers are either chosen by the Prime Minister or voted for by their party's caucus, depending on which party is in power. NZ political parties have different ways of doing that.. 'MP's are voted in by all of us' Except for List MP's, I never voted for any of them!	Andrew B (867)
542279	2007-04-19 10:27:00	Now James, a question for you: Does NZ have a constitution? I heard Geoffry Palmer's answer and I doubt if many know the answer. Err... I don't there is a simple answer to that. Technically speaking, New Zealand doesn't have a written constitution. The constitution is drawn from various documents to form "the nation's constitution". Frankly speaking, I am still not confident about this whole law story. Laura, so all MPs, Cabinet Ministers and opposition are also House of Representatives? What's the difference between MPs and Cabinet Ministers? Cheers :)	Renmoo (66)
542280	2007-04-19 10:44:00	Quite a few MPs get elected, because people want to put them where they can keep an eye on them. The rest (List* MPs) are probably there because people want them to be "elsewhere", (see NIMBY) somewhat like "remittance men" (www.phrases.org.uk). MPs get a lot of money. Cabinet ministers get more. That is their job We provide this money and get treated with great scorn for our trouble. That is our place in the whole ingenious scheme. *List : A condition of being unbalanced and adopting an unnatural equilibrium due to excessive or displaced load. Applies to ships or Parliaments.	R2x1 (4628)
542281	2007-04-19 10:57:00	Hi James* Pop "define cabinet ministers NZ" in to Google. Perhals start here.... www.decisionmaker.co.nz Almost all govt departments have defined in statute that they will have a minister.. except perhaps for Police, where the statute defines that there shall be a commissioner of police (a sworn policeman) appointed by the Governor General. The only reason there used to be a minister of police (nominal) was because the commissioner could not sit in the cabinet room and argue for more money on behalf of his department. Could have changed since Some cabinet ministers care for more than one department but they all form the inner sanctum	Scouse (83)
542282	2007-04-19 11:29:00	Also, Cabinet Ministers have traditionally been Members of the Majority Party appointed by the Prime Minister as Heads of Government Departments. With MMP, the cat is among the pigeons, and we currently have a Minister in charge of a Major Govt. Dept. as well as two lesser departments who is not a member of the Majority Party. He is Minister Outside Cabinet (and usually outside the country as well) Winston Peters continues to set precedents as well as hackles a-twitching. Sometimes a person is a member of the Cabinet without being Minister of a Department, so is called a Minister without Portfolio The whole is system is entirely logical, simple and straightforward if you are a termite. If you feel you understand the business, seek medical attention without delay and avoid bright lights.	R2x1 (4628)
542283	2007-04-19 11:52:00	Err . . . I don't there is a simple answer to that . Technically speaking, New Zealand doesn't have a written constitution . The constitution is drawn from various documents to form "the nation's constitution" . :thumbs: :) :thumbs: (At least we have the Bill of Rights . )	Strommer (42)
542284	2007-04-19 13:40:00	All they do, is blame each other, whinge, and act like school kids. Most of them need a life. A bit harsh on the kids, school kids have more dignity :lol:	rob_on_guitar (4196)
542285	2007-04-20 02:51:00	Err . . . I don't there is a simple answer to that . Technically speaking, New Zealand doesn't have a written constitution . The constitution is drawn from various documents to form "the nation's constitution" . Well done James . Most people think of a constitution as being a specific written document - and such things exist in other countries . However a constitution can simply be an accumulation of documents, actions, and conventions which develop over centuries . New Zealand's "constitution" in that sense dates from the Magna Carta in 1215 . As does the USA, Canada, Australia, India etc etc . We don't have a specific written constitution although the Bill of Rights is an ersatz version . The point about a specific constitution is that it is entrenched by Parliament . To change it requires 66%/75% (whatever) of MPs to vote for the change . In other words, it is an exception to the normal 50%+ vote . So it is damned hard to change once in place, thus the USA faces an impossible task to remove the constitutional right to bear arms . Constitutions are flavour of the liberal month from time to time but frankly in a small country like NZ, flexibility serves us well .	Winston001 (3612)
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