Hon Tariana Turia
Co-Leader of the Maori Party
23 June 2009 Media Statement

Labour MPs should be ashamed

"It is absolutely amazing that the Labour Party MPs have the temerity to shout the words 'sell out' across the floor of the debating chamber given their poor record in government,” Tariana Turia says.

"It was the Labour government that took away Maori rights to the foreshore and seabed. It was also them who took references to the Treaty of Waitangi out of our laws, out of the school curriculum and it was Labour who first of all campaigned on closing the gaps between Maori and non-Maori – and then backed off on that once they were in power."

"And those Labour MPs who were shouting 'sell out' across the floor while the Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, was answering questions today are members of the party that did all of that.

"They used the 'sell-out' line on me too a few weeks ago but it's getting a bit old now and I know people will see the hypocrisy of their behaviour.

“I think it's pretty rich for them to be accusing us of that and they should be ashamed of themselves."

ENDS

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