17 June 2002

Jim Anderton paid tribute to Sandra Lee today and thanked her for almost a decade of support and commitment in parliament.

“Sandra has stood shoulder to shoulder in parliament through many triumphs and battles, and I am grateful for the continuing moral support she is offering to me and to our colleagues.

“Sandra was the first Maori woman to win a general electorate seat, and removed Richard Prebble from Parliament. Her commitment to Maori people and to all New Zealanders through progressive policies for health and education has been significant.

“She has been welcomed as one of the best conservation ministers ever.

“The reforms of local government that Sandra has shepherded through in the last two and a half years are the most significant improvements to local government in decades.

“It is no great surprise to me that Sandra has decided to retire. She indicated some time ago that she might resign at the end of this term and I understand her reasons for doing so”.

Ends

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