18 AUGUST 1999

PRESS RELEASE

WOOLERTON ACCUSES YOUNG OF DIRTY POLITICS

Mr Doug Woolerton MP, New Zealand First Agricultural Spokesperson, today said that the National Party were playing dirty politics by trying to capitalise on Mr Woolerton being unable to attend part of a Special Committee Meeting on the Kiwifruit Restructuring Bill.

"The fact is that the meeting time was changed (after being agreed to by National and Labour only) and I was unable to attend the first session because the New Zealand First Caucus was meeting at its usual time. Furthermore, I understand that the time of the meeting was changed to suit National Members attending a funeral. I advised the Chairman of my caucus commitment.

"This is just another example of National and Labour acting like they are still working under First Past the Post giving no consideration to parties other than themselves. Worse, they are trying to score political points out of it with Ms Young's statement.

"I have raised my concerns with the Chairman of the Committee who was concerned that this matter had been raised in such a misleading manner by Ms Young," said Mr Woolerton.

ENDS

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