Donna Awatere Huata No Longer ACT Member

Monday 10 Nov 2003 Ken Shirley Press Releases -- Other

ACT New Zealand Acting Leader Ken Shirley today said he had written to Speaker Jonathan Hunt, advising him that Donna Awatere Huata was no longer a member of the ACT Party.

"I have been advised by ACT Party President Catherine Judd that Mrs Awatere Huata has not renewed her party membership, and under ACT's constitution is no longer entitled to do so. There is no prospect of her rejoining the ACT Party," Mr Shirley said.

"Mrs Awatere Huata is a Party List MP. It is a pre-requisite that, to be a member of the ACT Parliamentary Caucus, that MP is a member of the Party. By her actions she has left the Caucus.

"It is my view that Mrs Awatere Huata has transgressed the Electoral Integrity Amendment Act. By her actions she has distorted, and continues to distort, the proportionality of Parliament as determined at the last General Election.

"Given Mrs Awatere Huata's shocking conduct I have no hesitation in invoking the provisions of the Act. Mrs Awatere Huata has no right to remain a Member of Parliament and prompt action must be taken to effect her removal," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media