Media Statement

te Heuheu’s memory loss simply not credible

Acting Women’s Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu thinks so little of her new ministry that she says she can’t even remember abusing it as a “sexist historic relic” in 2003, says Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Sue Moroney.

“She said then that she believed the Ministry of Women’s Affairs should be scrapped,” Sue Moroney said.

“How could she forget saying that? It’s just not credible.

“And it’s not credible either that John Key or other senior cabinet ministers cannot remember Georgina te Heuheu making such an outlandish and controversial comment.

“Labour MPs can remember it,” Sue Moroney said. “And women can certainly remember it, given the feedback I have received.

“Georgina te Heuheu’s appointment, even if it’s only temporary, shows what a low priority this National Government places on women.

“For the past two years the ministry has been served by a lame duck whose mode of operation has consisted almost entirely of trying to take credit for initiatives put in place by the previous Labour government.

“Now women are represented at the highest level by a minister who thinks the ministry’s work is an example of sexist redundancy. The sooner she’s scrapped herself, the better off women will be.

“Given her comments in the past, John Key needs to re-commit to maintaining the ministry in its current form.”

ENDS

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