Murray McCully
Opposition Local Government Spokesperson

8 March 2000

Separate Maori council representation slammed

Government plans to legislate for separate Maori representation on local authorities have been slammed by National's Local Government spokesperson Murray McCully as a "huge step in the wrong direction".

"Labour's plan is driven by a very different view of New Zealand to that which is held by most New Zealanders.

"Most New Zealanders would see their country moving in the direction of removing separate provision based upon ethnic origin, rather than embedding this concept at every level of public life.

"Inevitably this move will spark public debate on the retention of the Maori seats in Parliament. In attempting to enact their politically correct agenda on local governement, Labour is setting the scene for the abolition of the Maori seats in Parliament within the next few years," Mr McCully said.

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