2 May 2002

National will not support the change to the standing orders which would mean MPs must list their pecuniary interests, National Deputy Leader Roger Sowry said today.

"For Labour to try and say they will use Standing Orders to have MPs declare their interests in nothing more than a smokescreen to take the focus off the sham that is going on in Parliament at the moment.

"National has always supported Ministers of the Crown publicly listing their pecuniary interests and we would consider this being extended to MPs but this should only be introduced through legislation rather than Standing Orders, particularly when the Government is currently abusing Standing Orders.

"Standing Orders state that any party in Parliament must advise the Speaker if there is a change in its Parliamentary membership. Six MPs have left the Alliance but both Alliances refuse to notify the Speaker.

"Jim Anderton is making a sham of the Standing Orders and Labour has been complicit in supporting his flouting of the Standing Orders.

"It is hypocritical of Labour to bring in new Standing Orders when it won't recognise those existing to keep the order of Parliament," Mr Sowry said.

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