Don Brash MP National Party Leader

27 April 2004

Helen Clark has no choice

National Party Leader Don Brash says Helen Clark has no choice but to sack Associate Maori Affairs spokeswoman Tariana Turia in the face of her defiance on the seabed and foreshore legislation.

"The Cabinet Manual is crystal clear in respect to matters of collective responsibility. Ms Clark has no choice but to sack Tariana Turia," says Dr Brash.

"Unless Ms Clark takes that action, she is confirming in the most public way that under Labour there are two standards of accountability - one for Maori Ministers and another for non-Maori.

"It is certainly inconceivable to suggest that Helen Clark would allow Steve Maharey to publicly campaign against the Government's welfare policy while acting as Minister.

"Helen Clark should end the uncertainty sooner rather than later. The Government's dithering on the seabed and foreshore issue has brought us to this stage.

"It's time Labour learned from its mistakes," says Dr Brash.

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