Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman
11 May 2005
National to support Treaty bill to select committee
National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee says National will support to select committee the Bill proposing
to remove references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi from our laws.
"National Leader Don Brash made it very clear in his first Orewa speech that we would remove divisive race-based clauses
from legislation. Indeed, we consider it one of the priorities for an incoming National Government.
"However, we believe any changes must be accompanied by a Government that has the will to effect real change, and
deliver policies based on need, not race.
"Any such policy introduced by a Labour Government will almost certainly fall victim to politically correct weasel words
like those which Michael Cullen inserted into the flawed Seabed and Foreshore legislation.
"Only a National Government can be trusted to deliver policies based on need rather than race," says Mr Brownlee.
ENDS