Mana | Movement of the People

 

Silence implies consent

MANA candidate for Waiariki Annette Sykes says a vote for the Maori party is a vote for National and ACT.

“Last week I challenged the Maori Party to declare their hand when it comes to telling voters which major party they would support. They have not answered the question, despite repeated attempts made by media and one can only conclude that their silence implies consent to supporting National and ACT.

“All they have said is that they will take the decision back to the people. This is making Maori Party supporters nervous because they refused to listen over such issues as the rise in GST, backing the 90-Day Probation Bill and extinguishing Maori rights over the foreshore and seabed under the Marine and Coastal Area legislation.

“One academic study released over the weekend said that 85% of Maori Party voters want them to go with Labour, NZ First or the Greens. Yet despite this message, the Maori Party refuse to rule out National and ACT.

“When it comes to Waiariki I want to ask Te Ururoa another question. Will he guarantee that the Maori Party will walk away from National and ACT if they continue to allow oil and gas companies to explore our coastline and pose huge environmental concerns? Will he jump into bed with National and ACT if they continue to stand silent over the dangerous practise of fracking?

“Will he give an assurance that these issues will become ‘bottom-lines’ when they deal with National and ACT? This is a huge issue in Waiariki and Maori voters are asking these questions.”

Annette Sayles says it is now time for the Maori Party to answer, otherwise ‘silence implies consent’.

For further comment please contact Te Ringahuia Hata on 021 236 0931.