July 11, 2013
Harawira holds back bill
Te Tai Tokerau MP, Hone Harawira, says he’s happy to hold back his 'Feed the Kids' bill, until he is assured it has the votes to get past its first reading.
The bill for decile one to three schools to provide breakfast and lunch was supposed to be considered yesterday.
The Mana leader was counting on the support of independent MP, Peter Dunne, who now says he won’t vote for it.
Mr Harawira says the bill is too important to see it die.
"It's an issue I think a lot of people want to continue to fight for and we aim to continue to build support for it until we get that extra vote. Right now there is only one vote stopping it from becoming legislation – that is: Peter Dunne. And right now you and I and the rest of New Zealand know he is unlikely to last until the next election. We hold it out a bit longer, he loses his seat, it's won by somebody who is supportive, and we could have it as legislation by the next election," he says.
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