David Cunliffe
Labour Leader
10 June 2014
Key now banking on Colin Craig
John Key and Colin Craig have made it clear they intend to game the electoral system with a seat gifted to the
Conservatives in September, says Labour Leader David Cunliffe.
“With ACT virtually unelectable in Epsom, the Prime Minister is indicating he will make an ‘accommodation’ with the
Conservative Party to try to remain in power.
“This is yet another dodgy deal by a party determined to do whatever it can to stay in government.
“John Banks was returned to Parliament in 2011 by 1.1 per cent of the vote and that infamous ‘cup of tea’, and John Key
got his support on a number of controversial and unpopular initiatives.
“National’s attempt to deprive hard-working New Zealanders’ rights to meal breaks at work, and to reduce their
bargaining power over wages and conditions, won’t proceed without Mr Banks’ support.
“But the ACT MP’s belated departure will remind New Zealanders what they got as a result of the deal.
“Charter schools wouldn’t exist without it, and National was able to pass the hugely unpopular Asset Sales legislation
only with Mr Banks’ vote. That was wrong.
“Most New Zealanders will agree with the Electoral Commission and the Labour Party that the coat-tailing provision of
MMP, which National refuses to change, is also wrong.
“Labour has a Private Members’ Bill ready to go to remove that provision. All Mr Key has to do is agree to support it.
“But he won’t because he wants to bring Colin Craig and a rag-tag bunch of candidates into Parliament to shore up a
third term in power.
“What might we look forward to as the price of Mr Craig’s support? A reversal of the marriage equality legislation; a
rewriting of history to suggest man did not land on the moon?
“Banking on the Conservatives is yet another National backroom deal of the kind that New Zealanders have got only too
used to over the last six years,’’ said David Cunliffe.
ENDS