Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 8 May 2007

Success on sedition proves small party power

United Future leader Peter Dunne has lauded the impact of small party cooperation after the Government conceded to the informal four-party coalition by announcing that it will seek to repeal the laws of sedition.

“While the Government is reluctant to admit it, it is no coincidence that merely two weeks after United Future, the Green Party, ACT and the Maori Party called a joint press conference, Cabinet signed off on a bill to repeal the sedition laws,” said Mr Dunne.

“Initially the Government was seeking an October deadline for this bill, so I am glad that we were able to force their hand on it.

“There are of course many differences between the four small parties, but there are also many areas where we share similar interests; the key for us is to identify those and work together to achieve a common goal.

“The fact that the four parties are a 15 vote bloc means that the Government bill to repeal the sedition laws is assured of a safe passage through the House.

“While it is presumptuous to expect similar success every time the small parties work together, the precedent has been set for further political consensus.

“As MMP matures in New Zealand I hope that all parties will recognise the benefit of cross-party cooperation, especially as we face important long-term issues such as climate change and housing affordability,” concluded Mr Dunne.

ENDS

© Scoop Media