April 22, 2014
Jones quits politics for diplomacy
Labour list MP Shane Jones is stepping down from politics.
He says after nine years in parliament he’s not able to make the long term commitment the party needs, so it’s time to go and do something else.
Mr Jones dined with party leader David Cunliffe at his Northland home last night, after news of his departure leaked.
He is considering taking up a new position being created by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully of Pacific Economic Ambassador, which addresses issues such as fisheries development in the region.
Mr Jones entered parliament in 2005 after chairing the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission, where he successfully brought the debate over allocation of fisheries settlement assets to a conclusion.
Last year he challenged for the Labour leadership, missing out to Mr Cunliffe.
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