Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman

22 February 2006

Labour 'cavalier' on select committee process

The National Party has sent warning shot across the Government's bow by refusing to maintain a quorum at the Maori Affairs Select Committee, says National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee.

"The Government is obliged to maintain a quorum at all select committees. Today, National members of the Maori Affairs select committee allowed the meeting to proceed in order that submitters to the committee could be heard.

"National then withdrew from the table at the end of that process. Labour had 10 minutes to find members to make up the quorum, but failed to do so.

"Labour's senior whip, Tim Barnett, turned up too late, without the requisite number of members to make up the quorum.

"Labour's failure to give the select committee process due care and attention further demonstrates their contempt for the institutions of our democracy.

"National is extremely disappointed that the Government is taking such a cavalier approach to the important work of select committees," says Mr Brownlee.

ENDS

© Scoop Media