Editorial: MP should take the full blame for gaffe

Whangarei's MP Shane Reti

Yesterday, in Parliament, National repeatedly refused to answer a very simple question.

Can the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) be changed after it has been signed.

The answer is widely accepted as "no".

Todd McClay, standing in for Tim Groser, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, refused to answer "no". He was asked the question (repeatedly) by Green Party co-leader Russel Norman because Whangarei's MP Shane Reti has recently suggested the opposite.

In a media statement Dr Reti has comprehensively, strongly suggested the public and opposition MPs would have their say on the TPP. Even if they do, it cannot be changed.

The mix-up suggests Dr Reti - a first-term MP, doesn't know his stuff. He is deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee which would play a key role in ratifying the TPP. He should know exactly how the TPP plays out in a New Zealand Parliament.

Dr Norman attempted to have Dr Reti's embarrassing media statement tabled in Parliament yesterday. In what bordered on an act of media prejudice, Speaker David Carter put the decision to the House because the media statement had been released only to the Northern Advocate, which he described as "a provincial paper". Unsurprisingly, the press release was shouted down by National.

Dr Reti has put his mistake down to bad grammar, and has then implicated a Northern Advocate journalist by saying that he and the reporter Alexandra Newlove had their "wires crossed".

The Northern Advocate accepts no responsibility for Mr Reti's mistake.

Dr Reti's muddled press release, and clarifying statements, along with Mr McLay's refusal to answer a very simple question, has done little to quell critics who believe the National Government's third term has been tainted by a culture of denial. National lost a stronghold seat in the Northland by-election this year. They are in danger of putting their Whangarei seat, also considered a political "gimme", at risk as well.