Will's Word: Treaty Bill - is David Seymour calling the shots?

OPINION: It's Decision-Day for the government's Treaty Principles Bill, with the legislation up for its first reading today.

It's abundantly clear the National Party will not vote down the Bill today because it was part of the Government's coalition agreement.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Pacific Mornings yesterday that he would be honouring the agreement but ruled out supporting it beyond the first reading.

Watch the full video interview with Prime Minister Luxon below

The bill sets out to define the Treaty of Waitangi principles that would be used to interpret legislation but critics say it revokes the promises and guarantees made to Māori in 1840.

Isn’t it wild this bill even got this far? One would’ve thought given Luxon’s business acumen and previous experience leading large companies that he would’ve had the nous to negotiate the coalition agreement better?

You know who is the big winner out of all this? ACT Leader David Seymour – who I’d argue is really the person running this Government.

Think about it — Seymour has had several major wins including the re-introduction of Charter Schools and of course his prized Treaty Principles Bill.

Opposition parties are calling for the Government to Kill The Bill but let’s be honest — it’s too late, the horse has bolted, the coalition agreement was signed last year.

Let’s just hope National and NZ First stick to their word and not do a U-turn.

Watch the full video of Will's Word below