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Download AudioNew Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones has slammed the Māori Party for ‘mobilising a militia of scallywags’ rather than doing its job in the parliamentary opposition.
Te Pāti Māori and its spin-off group Toitū Te Tiriti is calling for a nationwide activation on Thursday, Budget day, including carkoi protests which could block rush hour traffic in various centres and a gathering on the steps of Parliament.
Mr Jones says people are entitled to protest.
“But don’t for a moment think I have to accept their analysis of the situation. The reality is this is a belt-tightening budget. Whether it’s comfortable or not, often Governments grapple with economic problems and the bulge of the state is often we need to remove some of the weight and girth of the state and this is what this Budget is doing,” he says.
Mr Jones says there will winners and losers in the Budget, but that is what Governments have a democratic mandate to do.
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