Hon Chris Carter

21 February 2011 Media Statement

Carter Welcomes Green help with proxy

Chris Carter approached the Green Party to cast his proxy vote when he is unable to be present in the Debating Chamber and an agreement has been reached between the Green Party and the Independent MP for Te Atatu.

“I am really pleased that the Greens have agreed to accept my proxy and record my vote when I am unable to be present in the debating chamber. The Greens and l have concluded and signed a formal agreement ( see attached document) that will now provide an opportunity for my own constituents views to be recorded on issues being decided in Parliament’ said Chris Carter”

“Fundamentally I still consider myself a Labour MP in values and philosophy. I would have preferred to cast my vote with Labour but this has proved impossible.”

“I made a statement after I was expelled from the Labour caucus, following my criticism of Phil Goff’s leadership abilities, that I wanted my vote to remain with Labour. I gave formal written notification to the Labour whips of that wish but for many months received no response from them and my vote was exercised on a very irregular basis. After Labour Frontbencher Trevor Mallard claimed on TV1’s Backbenchers programme just before Christmas that I hadn’t given my proxy vote to Labour I realised that I had to seek some way for constituents to have a voice recorded in Parliament. In early February I approached the Greens and they have generously agreed to assist.”

The former Labour MP said that he was pleased that the Greens were willing to be flexible enough to enable him to cast a vote differently to the Greens through a process of prior notification should such a situation arise.

“The Greens are a progressive party which is similar to Labour in many values and policies. However there may well be issues where we differ and I have the opportunity to vote with Labour on those occasions.”

ENDS

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