21 October 2005

Winston must honour his marriage of convenience

The Green Party says New Zealand First's demand to sit on the opposition side of the debating chamber is both arrogant and ignorant.

New Zealand First MP Peter Brown today said that even though the Greens planned to abstain from giving the Government confidence and supply votes, he believed his party should have first call to sit on the opposition benches.

"Peter should understand that when your leader accepts a top ministerial post and signs up to a confidence and supply agreement you are part of the Government," Co-Leader Rod Donald says.

"And it's the height of arrogance for New Zealand First to demand that we sit on the Government side in the debating chamber, especially when they just blocked us being part of that Government.

"New Zealand First should sit where they belong - facing the opposition benches - and the Greens will sit where we belong, which is between the Government and the opposition.

"I have no doubt the public will see right through this latest example of New Zealand First's duplicitous behaviour and doublespeak.

"New Zealand First should stop treating the people of New Zealand with such contempt. Winston has accepted the baubles of office and he must accept the consequences of that decision.

"Having made his bed with Helen Clark, he can't now push that bed to Don Brash's side of the room," Mr Donald says.

ENDS

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