PM Stuck With Tamihere On Tele-Conference

ACT New Zealand Leader Rodney Hide today pointed out that Prime Minister Helen Clark was now in a difficult position.

"Miss Clark promised Parliament that she would ensure `due process' for Mr Tamihere, who has stood down from being a Minister and, on advice, is staying away from Parliament," Mr Hide said.

"Helen Clark has said that Mr Tamihere is contributing to the running of the country via telephone - despite important legislation affecting his constituents going through Parliament, and the all-important Foreshore and Seabed Bill being finalised.

"The Serious Fraud Office has now confirmed that it will investigate Mr Tamihere. That investigation could take months. Of course, Mr Tamihere may be entirely innocent.

"But Helen Clark can't reinstate Mr Tamihere while he is under investigation. That means `due process' may take months. We face the prospect of having a non-functioning MP on a taxpayer-funded Ministerial salary for months.

"Of course, this might suit Helen Clark - the man who was leading the revolt on the Foreshore and Seabed Bill has now been sidelined," Mr Hide said.

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