Thursday, 2 December 2004

Dunne: AWOL Progressives show only UF can be relied on

Last night's near-disastrous tied vote on a tax bill because of a "complete shambles" by the Progressives clearly demonstrated yet again the United Future offers the only real choice for stable government, its leader, Peter Dunne, said today.

The 59-59 vote at the committee stage of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Venture Capital and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill would have forced a general election if it had been at the third reading of the Bill. Neither of the Progressives, Jim Anderton or Matt Robson, were in Parliament, and they failed to vote by proxy, leaving the Government utterly exposed and embarrassed. By contrast, all United Future MPs had their votes recorded.

"This situation with the Progressives was seriously inept and a real worry for the Government.

"And frankly, it only serves to reinforce the reality that it is United Future, that day in, day out, can be relied upon to deliver stable government to the people of New Zealand," Mr Dunne said.

"Do we really need an election because of an MP's television appearance and his leader having a snooze?"

ENDS

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