Dunne welcomes Treaty inquiry support

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, today expressed his great satisfaction that United Future’s proposal for a wide-ranging inquiry into New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements, and the role therein of the Treaty of Waitangi, is beginning to gather political support from the majority of parties in Parliament.

“Just a fortnight ago, United Future was alone in pushing the idea; everyone else from the Prime Minister down was either coolly dismissive or outspokenly hostile,” he said.

“It’s been a pleasure seeing the other parties accept the commonsense basis of United Future’s plan to the extent that they are now enthusiastic cheerleaders of the proposal and are getting down to the nitty-gritty of working out the details.

“Even National’s leader, Dr Don Brash, backed the idea for 30 minutes last week, until his short-sighted backroom advisers forced him to change his mind.

“Now, United Future, Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First all agree there should be an inquiry; it should have maximum community input; it should not be an elitist academic love-in; and it should be much wider-ranging than just the Treaty.

“The only major party still holding out is National – and I call on Dr Brash to reconsider his opposition in the interests of creating a brighter, more constitutionally certain future for New Zealand,” said Mr Dunne.

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