Media Release

For immediate use Tuesday 31st August 1999

"DUNNE DEAL" A BETRAYAL OF MMP

New Zealand First has accused National and United's Peter Dunne of betraying voters with their backroom deal over the Ohariu-Belmont electorate.

National is not putting a candidate up in the electorate to give Dunne a better chance of winning the seat.

The New Zealand First Leader, Winston Peters, today described the arrangement as political subversion of the MMP process, and a slap in the face to voters in the electorate.

"These people have been told by National and Dunne that the politicians know what is best for them, and that they will be told how to vote in the forthcoming election.

"Can't the National hierarchy come up with someone of their own who will create some interest in the electorate?"

Mr Peters said that National would also step down in yet another backroom deal to give Richard Prebble a better chance in Wellington Central, and ACT will pull out in both Epsom and Tauranga.

"Hopefully the voters will recognise that Richard Prebble is only there to try to save ACT from political oblivion and send him packing," Mr Peters said.

ENDS

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