Grant ROBERTSON
MP for Wellington Central

29 August 2014

MEDIA STATEMENT

New poll puts more pressure on John Key

John Key is under even more pressure to get rid of Judith Collins as a Minister after a new poll reveals more than 60 per cent of New Zealanders want her gone, Labour MP Grant Robertson says.

“The Prime Minister looked rattled in last night's debate when he tried to defend the actions of Judith Collins in leaking details about an innocent public servant to Cameron Slater for use in a smear that led to death threats against him and his family.

“Keeping Judith Collins in Cabinet is becoming increasingly untenable for John Key with a new TVNZ/Colmar Brunton poll finding 61 per cent the country believe she should be gone as a result of her actions. Even among National Party voters, more people want her sacked than think she should stay.

“New Zealanders are rightly appalled that a Minister, already on her final warning, has been shown to have abused her power and knowledge to target a public servant who had done nothing wrong.

“Every day John Key continues to defend Judith Collins his leadership and credibility is damaged. David Cunliffe made clear last night that a Minister who acted the way Judith Collins had in his Government would be sacked. John Key’s refusal to take action shows he has lost his moral compass on this issue.

“Last night's debate showed that on the economy, housing and land sales, Labour has the policies that will give New Zealanders a positive future. John Key was reduced to talking about Labour’s plans because he has run out of ideas.

“We all want the election to be about issues like work, homes and families. But while John Key fails to deal with the appalling and unjust behaviour of his Minister of Justice, he will continue to be distracted and dogged with questions over his moral leadership, Grant Robertson says.

Authorised by Grant Robertson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

ENDS

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