Jackson puts coalition Government on notice

By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter

New Mana Motuhake leader MP Willie Jackson will give his own coalition Government a year to improve on its record of delivering to Maori.

He also wants Mana Motuhake to strengthen its role within the Alliance.

He would not say what he will do if his expectations are not met.

But asked if he could guarantee that Mana Motuhake would still be part of the Alliance at the 2002 election, he said: "I'd certainly like to think we would be there and I see no reason why we wouldn't be there."

Amid post-coup tensions, Alliance leader Jim Anderton yesterday sprang to the defence of his deposed colleague, Alliance deputy Sandra Lee.

Mr Jackson has maintained criticism of her since his leadership ambush on Saturday at Mana Motuhake's annual general meeting.

"This is not the time to be gracious and magnanimous," he said.



"It's a time to talk about what the realities are for our party, Mana Motuhake.

"The reality is that she hasn't delivered for our party.

"I'd hate to be seen as gloating. It's nothing like that.

"But Maori haven't had delivery - not just from Sandra but from the Maori ministers."

Mr Jackson said he will give himself a year as new leader to try to strengthen the identity of Mana Motuhake in the Alliance and within the Government.

"We've got issues that need to be taken up by the Government and need to be treated seriously.

"Maori issues have been put on the back burner by our Government."

Treaty settlements were a huge issue.

"How our treaty [negotiations] minister Margaret Wilson is handling things is of major concern to our members," he said, citing the Lake Rotorua settlement offer to Te Arawa.

"Things are so slow it is not funny."

Other issues he cited were the lack of resources for the Waitangi Tribunal and Maori broadcasting.

Mr Jackson said he wanted Mana Motuhake to play a more active role in the Alliance.

"We need a really good shot at trying to re-establish ourselves as a Maori party.

"We need a chance to show that maybe a Maori party could work within the system.

"Let's give ourselves 12 months."

His aim was to go "toe to toe" with Wairoa mayor Derek Fox, who is planning to launch a Maori party before the end of the year.

Mr Anderton said Sandra Lee, who is thought to be devastated by her dumping, was "a strong and able member of the Government and she has my full personal support as my deputy.

"She has carried the fight for Maori long and hard at the cabinet table as an associate Maori affairs minister," Mr Anderton said.

"Of course, she hasn't won every battle but I have yet to meet someone who would be a better advocate for Maori at the cabinet table."

Her position as Alliance deputy is elected from the Alliance conference and is unchanged.

Her appointment as minister is at Mr Anderton's behest and that is not under any threat.

Mana Motuhake and the Democrats are the two remaining constituent parties of the Alliance, which at one time was a five-party grouping.

Sandra Lee, the Minister of Conservation, was said to be possum hunting on Waiheke Island yesterday.