Thursday, 23 June 2005

Dunne: Labour dropping everything into 'too hard basket'

The Government is dumping issues that requires leadership into the too hard basket until after the election, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today in detailing half a dozen recent matters that the Government has opted not to deal with or has decided are a "bad look".

"The Government has basically parked up - and it's done so for reasons of political self-interest, but unfortunately those reasons aren't in the best interests of New Zealand," Mr Dunne said.

"The Government is running for cover on a number of issues.

"Actually, it's not the 'too hard basket; it's the 'too messy basket' - they don't want a bar of these things before the election."

"That might be convenient for them, but it's no way to run a country," Mr Dunne said.

He pointed to the six recent issues that the Government has essentially refused to deal with before the election:

* Reporting back of marine reserves extension legislation until September.
* Pulling of Georgina Beyer's Gender Identity Amendment Bill.
* Use of cell phones while driving.
* Deferral of a final decision on the Transpower high tension lines through the Waikato.
* Judith Tizard delaying the issue of emission testing on idling vehicles.
* Extending the consultation period for changes to rural school bus services.

"The Government needs to do its job and govern," Mr Dunne said.

ENDS

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