Labour gets out the chequebook

National’s Deputy Leader, Gerry Brownlee, says Labour will have its chequebook out for Maori by the end of the week.

The foreshore and seabed legislation is to be introduced to Parliament on Tuesday and will progress through to its final stages under urgency.

Mr Brownlee says this means Labour has done a deal with New Zealand First to ensure the legislation is passed without any hiccups.

“The inevitable consequence of such a deal is more readily available compensation for Maori claimants for foreshore and seabed ownership.

“Labour will do anything to get this legislation out of the way well before the election and we’re all paying for them to do so with higher taxes.

“We already know the Government is in negotiation with at least four iwi. We know that Tainui expect to be given title to a number of harbours on the North Island’s west coast, including Raglan.

“This week will confirm that when Labour talks about unity and the way forward they ultimately mean getting out the chequebook,” says Mr Brownlee.

© Scoop Media