Minister Of Maori Affairs Must Front

ACT New Zealand Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide today said that Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia had no option but to front up to question time in Parliament this week.

"Mr Horomia did a runner at the end of last session, refusing to appear in the House for question time. His office advised that he was in Parliament, but he never showed his face, leaving Associate Minister John Tamihere to answer questions on his behalf. He hid behind Mr Tamihere's flax skirt," Mr Hide said.

"It's test time for Mr Horomia. He needs to front up for the grilling he is going to receive.

"He has no option but to explain why, for months, he has been providing false and misleading answers to Parliament. His false answers served to protect the wrongdoing and the wrongdoers at Te Mangai Paho. Now that it's been exposed, the Minister has some explaining to do.

"He must also explain why, for months, he said that everything at Te Mangai Paho was okay - even though he knew exactly what was going on.

"If Mr Horomia isn't prepared to confront the challenge, he has no right to be Minister," Mr Hide said.

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