Media statement

For immediate release

Monday, 14 July 2003

Dunne: Labour waffling must stop now

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, today repeated his call for the Labour-led Government to stop fluffing about on the issue of growing Maori claims over the foreshore and seabed.

"Their dithering on this issue is a disgraceful exhibition of Labour desperately casting about looking to retain Maori votes, rather than as a government acting swiftly, openly and clearly in the interests of all New Zealanders," he said.

"United Future said from day one it would support any government legislation that made it clear all New Zealanders own the foreshore and the seabed.

"Labour ministers have abandoned their duty to act in the interests of the whole community and are negotiating in secret over our rights with some sections of the Maori community.

"This simply is not good enough and it must stop now. It's time for the Government to produce the draft legislation which will make it very clear that all New Zealanders have the right to go to the beach unobstructed; the right to go fishing in our riverbeds and oceans; the right to carry out legitimate business using our natural resources.

"By waffling, delaying and doing things in secret, the Government is driving a wedge between sections of the New Zealand community and fomenting racial division to the ultimate detriment of all New Zealand," said Mr Dunne.

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