NZPA:
The Maori Party has withdrawn its support for a government bill after its bid to have Maori members on polytechnic councils failed.
The Maori Party put up an amendment which would have ensured that councils had at least three Maori members. The Government didn’t accept the amendment and it was defeated.
The Maori Party told ministers before the vote that if the amendment was unsuccessful, it would withdraw its support for the bill. The Government still has a majority for it to be passed and will rely on the ACT Party’s votes.
Labour strongly opposes the bill, and said after the committee stage debate that it stripped away guaranteed representation for Maori, students, staff, industry and community representatives.
Yes, as usual, Labour vote with the Maori Party, for Maori representation and National vote it down. But remember, kids, National are the good guys.
Do you think that this latest defeat by their so-called partners will make the Maori Party reassess whether they’re getting anything back for supporting this government? Not a chance. Turia and Sharples will keep their baubles. Keep claiming victory as the defeats pile up.
Oh, want to see the Minister of Education explain this policy? Good luck. She was too busy signing Christmas cards.
[hattip: gobsmacked]
About time shane jones earned his lofty position and put the maori party firmly in his sights and keeps firing.
There’s plenty of ammunition and it’s made itself an easy target with the sellouts as it’s just the maori division of the national party as it favours already wealthy iwi…..classic nat behaviour.
As a mate increasingly refers to the Maori Party … the Iwi Roundtable.
Why should Maori have guaranteed members on polytechnic councils ?
What’s wrong with the process as below ?
http://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/aboutus/corporatepublications/charter/aucharter12/?searchterm=council
How interesting that Mr Goff didn’t talk about putting three Maori seats on polytech boards when he spoke of fears of Maori separatism in his nationhood speech to Palmerston North Grey Power.
Is this yet another flip flop from Mr Goff?
Did you not read the post, Tim? It would only be a flip flop if this was a change in stance from Labour. It’s not; it’s an entirely consistant position. Are you confusing Goff with Key? Will the real Mr Floppy please stand up, please stand up?
when did Goff speak of fears of Maori seperatism?
quotes please
Suggest you read this in case you missed it marty http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10611979
yeah. I read it tim. where are the quotes regarding Maori separatism?
Sigh – again, thanks so much Red Alert for banning Tim Ellis.
If Labour supports Maori representation so much, why then did it get a lacky to front a bill entrenching the Maori parliamentary seats AFTER the 2008 election?
Because there was a better chance of it going through when National was in bed with the Maori patsy (I seem to remember that they have had a standing policy that national would like to get rid of the maori seats – or was that Act).
And if national didn’t vote for it, then there would have been political fallout on national.
Basic politics – so your question is? Oh – you don’t know much about politics?