Media statement
For immediate release
Thursday, 26 October 2006

Copeland: Nats must discipline Power

United Future whip Gordon Copeland today called on the National Party caucus to discipline Rangitikei MP Simon Power for orchestrating the collapse of a select committee hearing yesterday even though submitters from all around the country were present to give evidence.

"His actions displayed contempt for the public good and serves only to bring Parliament and politicians into further disrepute," said Mr Copeland.

"Mr Power claims the National walkout from the committee was to demonstrate Labour's sloppy administration of Parliament by its failure to maintain a committee quorum.

"Instead, it demonstrated Mr Power's petty small-mindedness and contempt for the top public servants and other interested parties who had travelled great distances at great expense to meet the committee; and it reinforced the image in the public mind of politicians who put their own partisan interests ahead of public service.

"The quorum issue could have been resolved through a few minutes of patience," said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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