29 August 2005

Nats try to make souffle rise again

National appears to be turning its focus back to its Orewa speech now that its only policy, tax cuts, has failed to give it the bounce it wanted, Co-ordinating Minister, Race Relations Trevor Mallard said today.

"The first difficulty with trying to revive Orewa is that the leader and deputy leader can't agree on the policy.

"Last week Gerry Brownlee said that the abolition of the Maori seats was not a bottom line issue. At the weekend, Don Brash said it was. Then Don Brash said he was unaware of his deputy's comments and finally Don Brash said 'Let's just see what happens after the election'.

"Winston Peters, on whom Don Brash now desperately relies, says he won't agree to the abolition of the Maori seats unless Maori agree.

"This policy has run into a quicksand of the National's own making, even before the rerun of Orewa.

"It looks like Orewa II is grounded before take-off," Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

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