Scoop Audio: Shearer on Maori Party and Asset Sales
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Labour Leader David Shearer spoke to media this afternoon about the Maori Party’s stance on the partial sale of state owned assets.
The Maori Party has described the removal of Treaty of Waitangi protections from the proposed sales ‘selling Treaty rights to the highest bidder’.
Today Maori co-leader Tarian Turia indicated this issue could jeopardise the party's support for the National Government.
Shearer said this was a matter for the Maori Party, but "clearly they were upset about the fact they didn't know about this clause being removed when they signed their confidence and supply agreement".
He felt lack of Treaty protections, and the possible removal of community responsibility provisions, would make the assets easier to sell.
He alse refered to the recent Overseas Investment Office decision of the Crafar farms. "What we're seeing is a selling off of New Zealand and we think that's not the way New Zealanders want to see New Zealand go."