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Nat victory as Maori Trustee bill bites the dust
Tau Henare MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman (Education & TPK)
26 September 2008
Nat victory as Maori Trustee bill bites the dust
National is delighted that Labour's flawed Maori Trustee and Maori Affairs Development Bill has finally been thrown out, says National's Maori Affairs spokesman (Education & TPK), Tau Henare.
"Labour's failed attempt to push through the state-sanctioned theft of $35 million belonging to the beneficiaries of the Maori Trust has been consigned to the rubbish bin where it belongs.
"How they thought they could get support for this scandalous misuse of money is beyond belief.
"Even the Maori Trustee, John Paki, had serious concerns about what is essentially a slush fund to buy Maori votes.
"It is unbelievable that Labour thought it would get away with stealing the money and then redistributing it at the whim of the Maori Affairs' Minister's personal appointees.
"Thankfully, with support from minor parties like the Maori Party, this travesty has come to an end.
"This money has been held in trust for the children and grandchildren of Maori landowners.
"Labour's attempt to steal this legacy has been rightfully thwarted."
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