Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman

11 May 2005

National to support Treaty bill to select committee

National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee says National will support to select committee the Bill proposing to remove references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi from our laws.

"National Leader Don Brash made it very clear in his first Orewa speech that we would remove divisive race-based clauses from legislation. Indeed, we consider it one of the priorities for an incoming National Government.

"However, we believe any changes must be accompanied by a Government that has the will to effect real change, and deliver policies based on need, not race.

"Any such policy introduced by a Labour Government will almost certainly fall victim to politically correct weasel words like those which Michael Cullen inserted into the flawed Seabed and Foreshore legislation.

"Only a National Government can be trusted to deliver policies based on need rather than race," says Mr Brownlee.

ENDS

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