Don Brash says kicking for touch is not an option

National Party Leader Don Brash is attacking the Labour Government for its attempts to pass the buck on the important debate that he has raised about equality in New Zealand.

"The idea that we should set up yet another inquiry, or a commission of inquiry, is a diversionary tactic by Labour to get itself off the hook with its Maori caucus.

"It would resolve nothing and get nowhere, which is precisely what Labour wants," says Dr Brash.

"Helen Clark wants to delay action on this until after the next election, when - if elected - she will reinstate the same policies. Her Maori caucus and their ideologues will not allow them to do anything else.

"The smoke screens about U-turns are just that -- smoke screens.

"The way forward is to legislate for Crown ownership of the seabed and foreshore, which is what National will do. That is what Helen Clark and Margaret Wilson planned too, until they were dragged into line by their Maori caucus.

"All the talk of commissions of inquiry are a stalling tactic to keep Labour in power. In any case, the Waitangi Tribunal is a permanent commission of inquiry into the Treaty.

"Labour, with Peter Dunne's help, seems determined to set up another tandem inquiry, which just goes to show how absurd and desperate they are.

"Governments are elected to govern in the national interest. If Helen Clark is unable to govern because of the state of her caucus she should call an election and clear the decks for someone who can," says Dr Brash.

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