22 March 2006

Dover Samuels' goose is cooked

Labour Maori list MP Dover Samuels should at long last apologise to Maoridom for supporting the foreshore and seabed legislation, Greens Maori Affairs Spokesperson Metiria Turei says.

It was revealed in the Independent and at Parliament today that he had criticised Conservation Minister Chris Carter for over-ruling an Environment Court decision on the proposed Whangamata marina.

"He should apply his criticism of minister Carter to himself," Mrs Turei says. "He has said ministers shouldn't overturn court decisions, but he was the strongest advocate for the foreshore and seabed legislation which did exactly that.

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander."

"I sat on the select committee that heard the foreshore submissions and listened to Maori plead with him not to overturn the court of appeal decision that said Maori could pursue their cases through the courts.

"He ignored, berated and ridiculed those kuia, kaumatua and rangatahi, promoting his government's right to overturn the court's decision. He treated those people with contempt," Mrs Turei says.

"Maori and Pakeha who fought that legislation will be utterly and rightly disgusted with his comments in the Independent newspaper today. It goes directly to his integrity and his ability to act responsibly and rationally."

ENDS

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