Sharples agrees to agree with National

Kelvin Davis
Associate Education Spokesperson

29 Hongongoi 2009 Media Statement

Sharples agrees to agree with National

The admission by Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples that he disagrees with funding cuts to the Adult Community Education programmes, but still voted for them in Budget 09, is evidence the Maori Party is little more than a plaything for National, says Labour MP Kelvin Davis.

Kelvin Davis, Labour Associate Education spokesperson, says it is hugely ironic that the Maori Party claims to represent the Maori people, but voted for something that is not in the best interests of Maori.

“Many Maori benefit from the courses provided by Adult Community Education. Dr Sharples and his colleagues voted for the anti-Maori cuts. It shows how quickly the Maori Party has forgotten the needs of their constituents.” says Kelvin Davis.

“Dr Sharples said in Maori in the House that the agreement between National and the Maori Party means they can ‘agree to disagree’.

“Surely then he should have had a mandate to tell National that because he disagreed with the cuts he was going to vote against them in the budget,” Kelvin Davis said.

“The fact that he didn’t means that he actually ‘agrees to agree’ with National despite the cost to Maori.

“It also shows how dangerous the confidence and supply agreement is in terms of meeting the best interests of Maori. The Maori Party has put these best interests at risk.”

ENDS