21 August 2002 Media Statement

Shameful self-interest of Opposition becomes a shambles

The shameful self-interest of Opposition MPs has descended into a shambles, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today after the Opposition couldn’t reach an agreement on where to sit in parliament’s debating chamber.

“If the Opposition parties can’t even sort out where they sit in Parliament, how could they ever co-operate to run the country?

“They are displaying unbelievable petulance, in a totally self-interested scramble for their own petty advantage.

“Their behaviour should be contrasted with the constructive behaviour of the minority coalition government, where parties co-operate because that is the best way to make progress for New Zealanders in jobs, health, education and social justice.

“The selfish bickering of the Opposition will not create one more job, put one more teacher in a classroom or perform one more operation in a hospital. So why are they doing it?”

Matt Robson says National’s Gerry Brownlee appears to be one of the biggest obstacles to successful resolution of the sleazy dispute.

“Mr Brownlee keeps saying that National MPs should have special privileges just because they are members of the National Party.

"He needs to understand that the public want parliamentarians to spend their time on governing the country efficiently not ensuring that their seat is the one closest to the TV cameras."

ENDS

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