Media Release

13 April 2004

Show Us Your Foreshore And Seabed Policy, Peters Tells Nats

Rt Hon Winston Peters has told National to “put up or shut up” over the foreshore and seabed issue instead of sitting in a glasshouse, throwing stones and making nonsensical statements.

Mr Peters said it was unfortunate that Don Brash had stated unequivocally that National would repeal the legislation when his party did not have a policy to replace it with.

“This means that National would repeal Crown ownership and public access to the foreshore and seabed and it begs the question of why any political party would do this.

“Don Brash says he is ‘comfortable’ with the fisheries settlement and the Fisheries Act, (passed by National) which create special rights for Maori, but in the next breath says he is against the foreshore and seabed legislation, which does not create special rights for Maori.

“In short, he is thoroughly confused.”

Mr Peters pointed out to National that all New Zealanders, irrespective of race, wanted solutions to the foreshore and seabed issue and he said the new legislation would keep the coastline safe for hundreds of years.

“National is trying to whip up strife and pit New Zealanders against each other in a bid to score political points and it is most unfortunate.”

ENDS

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