Parliamentary scrutiny of foreign policy in New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis is on the topic of legislative oversight of New Zealand's foreign policy. It examines the various opportunities available to Parliament for considering international questions and attempts an assessment of the degree of influence it wields. The thesis considers a variety of historical and social factors, and a long philosophical debate, which help set Parliament's current role in context. Executive power has been a critical determinant of the legislature's involvement in foreign policy, and the Government's use of the Royal Prerogative has largely determined the consideration given to questions of war, diplomatic representation and international agreements. Much of Parliament's business is transacted on the floor of the House, and the ability of the Opposition to scrutinise Government policy by employing debates and interpellations is central to its success or failure. In order to further highlight some of the issues raised, the work of the parliamentary committees is studied in some detail. The Foreign Affairs Committee, established soon after the Second World War, is unique amongst the select committees, and its struggle to examine the issues reflects many of the same difficulties faced by Parliament as a whole. The work of the adhoc Disarmament and Arms Control Committee, created in 1982, is set in the context of a wide ranging public debate on nuclear weaponry and the ANZUS alliance. For the first half of the post-war period a bipartisan approach was adopted by the parliamentary parties. The decline of this concensus, and the role of such factors as caucus, and party leadership are considered for their contribution to Parliament's work. Finally, Parliament's ability to respond to community demands owes much to various feedback networks, which are both channels of opinion and actors in their own right. The thesis concludes with a re-evaluation of Parliament's role and suggests that substantial change will be necessary if it is to adequately confront future challenges.