Turia sets record straight

Tariana Turia is dismayed that Labour List MP Louisa Wall would ‘play politics’ regarding the achievement of a Treaty clause in the Public Health Bill.

In Parliament’s General Debate earlier today, Ms Wall made reference to Mrs Turia not being at health select committee when the Treaty clause was voted on.

“The Maori Party is an extremely busy and hard-working party” said Mrs Turia. “We are committed towards fulfilling all of our House commitments, as well as responding to the steady flow of meeting and speaking requests from right across the motu”.

“At times these hui, meetings, conferences fall on a Wednesday – and I have had to seek leave from Select Committee in order to travel and fulfil such appointments” said Mrs Turia.

“Most members accept that when you are an MP, you have many competing priorities. And unlike Labour, at this stage we only have four Members so we are often running to keep up with the demands upon us”.

“I am so disappointed that Louisa is playing politics with this issue” said Mrs Turia. “I was the one who drafted and tabled the initial proposal to ensure that the Public Health Bill would give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.

“However, Labour would not support that clause; the Minister of Health advising Louisa that in 2005 they had agreed they would only ever consider generic references to principles”.

“I have known Louisa for years, and it saddens me that she would stoop to these sorts of throwaway lines which denigrate another member -and could be considered in breach of Parliament's Standing Orders".