Maori Party No Longer Serving The ‘Greater Good’
The Maori Party are continuing to support a government who are about to remove the basic rights of Maori workers,
Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta said today.
“When I questioned the Minister of Maori Affairs in the house today, he confirmed that the Government had locked him out
of discussions around the changes to the 90 day trial legislation.
“It is clear that the Maori Party has no real power to influence decisions made by this National led government that
will have a real impact on Maori.
“Mr Sharples had also confirmed that the Maori Party had ‘agreed to disagree’, with the government on the 90 day trial
changes, meaning the only ones worse off are going to be Maori workers.
“During the debate on 90 day trial legislation the Minister of Maori Affairs said ‘Look the 90 day bill we voted against
it, we didn't get …but you go for the greater good and that's why we're there’,” said Nanaia Mahuta.
“Where is the greater good in supporting a government who refuses to back the rights of workers?
“This government wants to make it easier for employers to fire their employees. The threat of immediate dismissal will
do nothing to help any of the 22,000 Maori currently unemployed or the 36 percent young Maori unemployed, into a job.
“The Ministers Maori Party colleague Harawira pointed out during the first debate that there is "simply no evidence at
all to support the claim that removing workers rights would increase Maori employment"?
“The Minister should have heeded his advice.
“A report released by the Department of Labour says that it is unclear what kind of impact the 90 day legislation has
had on employment and goes on to show that only 14% of employees hired as a result of the legislation were Maori proving
that the legislation was not helping those on the margins of the labour market.
“The Maori Party’s support of this National Government is helping John Key pass legislation that is going to hurt Maori
whänau. Legislation that increases GST, strips workers rights and gives tax cuts to the wealthy. How can supporting any
of those changes be for the greater good?” said Nanaia Mahuta.
ENDS