Don Brash MP National Party Leader

21 September 2004

Treaty inquiry hits a snag

National Party Leader Don Brash says it would appear Helen Clark's attempt to bury race relations as an issue in the lead-up to the next election has hit a snag.

"It's further proof, not that we needed it, that National is the only party that has the will to deliver policies based on need rather than race after the next election.

"National has always been of the view that Helen Clark's inquiry into the Treaty is a convenient distraction to the real issues around race relations in New Zealand.

"Surely the Prime Minister must have been expecting to be knee-capped by one or more of the fringe parties involved in the talks.

"National has released clear policy on race relations. We believe there should be equality for all New Zealanders regardless of their race.

"We support the acceleration and conclusion of Treaty grievances with realistic deadlines for lodging and settling claims.

"And National has promised to purge meaningless references to the principles of the Treaty from important legislation," says Dr Brash.

ENDS

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