Wednesday 3 Jul 2002

ACT's proposal to fast-track Treaty settlements is a great policy for Maori and for all New Zealanders, ACT Education and Maori Affairs Spokesman MP Donna Awatere Huata said today from One Tree Hill.

"I herald these policies as the only true way for Maori to move on.

"ACT is sadly the only party left that represents all of New Zealand. Labour under Helen Clark has patronised and belittled every minority group in New Zealand, without addressing a single real issue.

"Helen Clark's Government has the worst record for settling Treaty claims. If the Prime Minister has anything to apologise for, it is her failure to move our country ahead.

"Being patronised by Labour has made too many New Zealanders - especially Maori - completely dependent on the state.

"ACT has campaigned consistently for One Law For All. We don't want any subgroup to be given special treatment. We want fairness and equality for everybody.

"I am heartened that National has adopted ACT's Treaty of Waitangi policies. My only regret is that they have spent so many years opposing our common-sense ideas.

"Labour's failure continues to disgust me. Their education policies in particular are a shocker. Maori and Pacific Island education performance has fallen. There are more Maori and Pacific Island children leaving school without qualifications than ever before. Truancy rates have gone through the roof.

"ACT would eschew the soft bigotry of low expectations for certain children based on their ethnicity. Our One Law for All policy, and our dedication to lifting education standards for every child, prove our commitment to equality in New Zealand," Mrs Awatere Huata said.

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