Government Women MPs' Silence Is Support For Sexism

National MPs Georgina te Heuheu and Anne Tolley are stunned at the continual silence from Labour's women MPs over the alleged blatant sexist and patronising comments made by Steve Maharey.

"MPs' offices have been inundated with calls from outraged women around New Zealand who are appalled at the Minister's alleged conduct.

"This Government came in promising to promote women in the workplace. But the silence of the Prime Minister and Labour's women MPs is deafening," Mrs te Heuheu and Mrs Tolley said.

When questioned in Parliament today by Georgina te Heuheu, Steve Maharey denied that his actions constituted sexist or patronising behaviour towards women. He said no Labour women MPs had come to him asking if the allegations were true or to express concern about them.

"Labour's women MPs should be ashamed of Mr Maharey's dismissive arrogance.

"When Labour MPs return to their electorates tonight they will hear just how outraged New Zealand women are over the way Mr Maharey was alleged to have treated Christine Rankin.

"The MPs continual silence is effectively a show of support," Mrs te Heuheu and Mrs Tolley said.

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