Hawkins' place on Labour's party list 'entirely winnable'

Labour Party president Mike Williams yesterday defended the decision to place MP George Hawkins at number 25 on the party's list - a spot Mr Hawkins rejected.

Mr Williams told National Radio that the place initially allocated to Mr Hawkins was not a low ranking and one anyone "would have killed for".

It was "entirely winnable", Mr Williams said.

Mr Hawkins had informed the party secretary of his decision to withdrew from the list, apparently disgruntled that he would have been the lowest placed Cabinet minister.

But the MP said he merely did not need to be safeguarded through a list position.

"I have been elected five times by the people of Manurewa and I'm happy to continue to do the job for the electorate for at least the next three years," he said.

- NZPA