ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley has today written to the Prime Minister urging the government to heed the plea of the Treaty Tribes Coalition to end the impasse over the allocation of fishing quota.

“I offer the support of ACT New Zealand to the Treaty Tribes Coalition general proposal on allocation.

“The protracted litigation is denying Maori the opportunity to more fully participate in commercial fishing, it is eroding both Maori and national wealth, and is destabilising the entire fishing industry.

“The costs of delays have been calculated by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research to amount to $14 million per year compounding to $84 million by 2006.

“The Treaty Tribes Coalition has the support of 76% of Iwi and if government does not respond positively to this request then the litigation and impasse is likely to continue for years.

“I am advised that the Prime Minister has failed to respond to any of the correspondence from the Treaty Tribes Coalition to date (other than acknowledgement of receipt) and no doubt this inaction reflects the bitter division within the Labour/Alliance government on this issue.

“With the support of ACT New Zealand and the National Party the Prime Minister has a clear majority to end the impasse. There is no excuse for delay or inaction” concluded Ken Shirley.

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