A whopper lie from the PM

Helen got all bitter on Tuesday and lashed out at the warm reception John Key got at Waitangi. She went on to say:

“I am waiting for the National Party to vote for a single treaty settlement negotiated by us.”

So has National been voting against all the treaty settlements this decade? Let’s look at the record:

1. Pouakanui Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2000
2. Te Uri o Hau Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2002
3. Ngati Tama Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2003
4. Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2003
5. Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Act – voted for first and second readings and against third reading in 2005
6. Ngati Tuwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2005
7. Ngati Awa Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2005
8. Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act – voted against in 2005
9. Ngati Mutunga Claims Settlement Act – voted for in 2006
10. Te Roroa Claims Settlement Bill (second reading) – voted against in 2007

Incidentially National initiated and settled 10 claims in the 1990s. Of the ten claims settled since 2000, only the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi settlement was initiated and settled by Labour. And that was voted for by National. So 19/20 settled claims were initiated by National.

So National has voted for eight seven out of ten claims negotiated and settled by Labour. For Clark to claim she is waiting for National to vote for a single settlement is a lie of mammoth proportions.

UPDATE: See correction.