Dunne: Nats guilty of political ignorance or game-playing

United Future New Zealand leader, Peter Dunne, today described criticism by National’s deputy leader, Roger Sowry, of United’s stand on the controversial OSH legislation as either “political ignorance or petty game-playing”.

“National has claimed that by voting for an increase in the money available to the Department of Labour to carry out its OSH obligations, United Future is contradicting its stance of opposition to the yet-to-be-passed OSH legislation, which I have already described as being on the lunatic fringe of lawmaking,” said Mr Dunne.

“As a former Government Whip, Mr Sowry would be well aware that departmental Estimates are a matter of confidence in Parliament. He is also well aware that United Future has a confidence and supply agreement with the Government that guarantees New Zealand stable government, something neither National nor Labour were able to deliver with their previous partners in government.

“United Future will continue to oppose this current legislation, we will be offering amendments to the Bill, in short, we will continue to do everything our agreement with the Government allows.

“Just to refresh Mr Sowry’s memory, I would remind him that when he was a government Whip in 1996, when United New Zealand was in coalition with the National government, National was adamant that Estimates votes were matters of confidence and absolutely no dissent or criticism would be allowed."

Mr Dunne said he was disappointed that National continued to waste time making silly political statements, when a more intelligent approach would be for all opponents of the OSH legislation to unite to present the Government with a single offensive against bad legislation.

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