20 August 2002

Divided, Self-Interested Opposition

Progressive Coalition MP Matt Robson says the scrap between Opposition parties over seating arrangements in Parliament’s debating chamber shows that the Opposition will never work together.

“The only thing that National, New Zealand First and Act seem to be interested in is their own advantage.

“Their parliamentary seating arrangements will not mean one extra operation in a hospital, or one more teacher in a classroom. It is unseemly self-interest.

“If they can’t even agree over where to sit, how could the Opposition ever form a government together?

“The bitterly divided Opposition needs to realise that it is more important to work together for the benefit of New Zealand than to bicker over personal status.

“Every fight they have highlights the effort the Government parties are making to work constructively on issues that really matter, like health, education and employment,” Matt Robson said.

Ends

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