Clark's strategy number seven

Opposition leader Don Brash says that Winston Peters's decision to lend support to the delaying tactic of a Royal Commission on Treaty issues, after adamantly opposing such a delaying tactic, shows a remarkable flexibility. Dr Brash's comments come in relation to a TV One news report tonight.

Dr Brash says that Mr Peters's claim that the Government, in return, would legislate for Crown ownership of the seabed and foreshore would be the most remarkable of U-turns from Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is already up to Strategy Number Seven in a bid to try to stem National's popularity.

"If Helen Clark is going to support National's policy of Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed, she doesn't need Winston Peters's support: we have always made it clear that this is the option the Government should follow. This is what a National Government will do.

"However, if Winston Peters is going to trade off Crown ownership against a Royal Commission of the great and the good to tell New Zealanders what their Treaty obligations are, National will have no bar of that."

Dr Brash said a politically-appointed Royal Commission was simply a delaying tactic. National believed all New Zealanders had the right to have a say. The best way to do this was at the ballot box during a general election.

"Labour is suffering from paralysis and the Winston Peters deal suggestions are just another desperate attempt to hide this.

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