Media Statement For immediate release Friday, 19 December, 2003

Dunne: Time for Nats to work for New Zealand

National's Gerry Brownlee gets a 'D' for comprehension after misconstruing - "wilfully or otherwise" - United Future's position on the foreshore and seabed issue, the party's leader, Peter Dunne, said today.

"It's truly worrying when the alleged main Opposition party has this much trouble getting to grips with an issue as substantial as this one is for New Zealand," Mr Dunne said.

"I don't know what scares me more - the fact that Mr Brownlee might actually believe what he's saying, or that maybe he just doesn't get it.

"Either way, at a crucial juncture in New Zealand's social and legal history; at a time when wise heads, reason and good will need to be shown across the political divide, National is showing what an abysmal excuse for a political party it has become," he said.

"For the benefit of Mr Brownlee and his party, United Future has consistently sought public ownership of the foreshore and seabed, certainty of access and continuity of usage.

"The moves proposed by Labour and backed by United Future achieve that," he said.

"In the meantime, I would suggest that National - a party that called for and got cross-party support not so many years ago on crucial Treaty settlements such as those with Ngai Tahu and Tainui - would do well to look in the political mirror," Mr Dunne said.

"Has it sold out on the legacy of Doug Graham this quickly?

"This is not a time for cheap shots from cheap politicians. It is a time for leadership, so when will Don Brash step forward?"

Ends.

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