February 07, 2013
Sharples Uses Ministerial Platform For Labour Attack
Labour MP Shane Jones has slammed a claim by Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples that Labour regaining the Māori seats was as good as abolishing them.
In a State of the Māori Nation address delivered to an invited audience in Auckland on Waitangi Day, Dr Sharples said the seats can’t be taken for granted because of the risk of Labour running candidates who are subject to Pakeha leadership, to a Pakeha caucus, and to a Pakeha kaupapa.
Mr Jones, who slashed Dr Sharples‘majority in Tāmaki Makaurau last election, says it was churlish and inappropriate for his opponent to deliver such a politicised speech wearing his ministerial hat.
He says the minister has no responsibility for the Labour Party and no idea what goes on inside its caucus.
Mr Jones says Dr Sharples has consistently ignored the convention followed by previous Māori Affairs ministers that all Māori MPs are invited to ministerial events.
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