8 September 2006

Fitzsimons Lies To Public Over Walkout

New Zealand First at no stage indicated any support for a planned walkout by some of the smaller parties in Parliament and reported comments by the Greens co-leader that New Zealand First backed out of any such plans are grossly untrue, Deputy Leader Peter Brown said today.

“There was no representation by New Zealand First at Ms Fitzsimons’ so called ‘leaders meeting’ held on Wednesday. We were not even invited to the meeting. The fact of the matter is that no one in the leadership of New Zealand First was approached about the plan until lunchtime yesterday at which time we indicated in no uncertain terms that we did not wish to be a part of it.

“Our Members see being an elected member of the House of Representatives as a privilege and an honour and do not believe that the solution to bad behaviour is by indulging in further bad behaviour.

“I also wish to add that our stance in no way condones the recent behaviour of the larger parties in the House which has at times been nothing short of childish.

“We just hope that Ms Fitzsimons will stick to the facts in future and refrain from knowingly and blatantly misrepresenting the views of the New Zealand First Party,” concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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