Awatere Bill Will Test Act's Integrity - Says Donnelly
“The integrity of the ACT party will be put to the test tomorrow when it votes on the NCEA Moratorium Bill,” says New
Zealand First education spokesperson, Brian Donnelly.
“ACT’s whip holds Donna Awatere-Huata’s vote. The question is whether it will be cast.
“Everyone knows that Donna Awatere-Huata has been a vocal opponent of NCEA. It is her bill. However, under Standing
Orders she cannot cast her own vote in favour of it.
“ACT went to the electorate last year on an anti-NCEA policy and a promise to return to the old system.
“It now has the opportunity to record the full vote delivered to it by voters who supported ACT at the last election.
“If ACT does not cast its full vote in favour of the legislation, if it refuses to cast Donna Awatere-Huata’s vote, it
is effectively disenfranchising one-ninth of the people who cast their vote for ACT. It is effectively silencing the
voice of over 16,000 voters,” said Mr Donnelly.