Labour closes ranks, backs Goff on speech

Phil Goff. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour MPs have closed ranks around their leader Phil Goff, fully supporting the controversial "nationhood" speech he gave two weeks ago.

"The caucus is unanimously behind the tone and the content of the speech I gave," Mr Goff told reporters after a caucus meeting today.

"Caucus unanimously believes these issues should be raised."

In his speech, Mr Goff attacked the Government over its intention to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act and replace it with alternative legislation, which it is still working on, and the deal with the Maori Party over the emissions trading scheme (ETS).

He said the Government and the Maori Party had made "shabby political deals" and repealing the Foreshore and Seabed Act could divide Pakeha and Maori, reopening wounds which were healing.

Critics accused him of "playing the race card" and the speech was reported to have caused concern within caucus and the party.

Party president Andrew Little made a point of walking into the caucus meeting beside Mr Goff, having previously said he backed the leader and there were no problems in the party.

Today's caucus meeting was the first time MPs have met since Mr Goff made the speech to a Grey Power audience in Palmerston North.

"I don't step back from what I said and caucus doesn't suggest I should," Mr Goff said after today's meeting.

"I can't be held responsible if some commentators say this is playing the race card, patently it isn't."

Mr Goff said Labour was still prepared to work with the Government on legislation to replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act, even though National had acted in bad faith when it broke off negotiations on the ETS.

"The ETS was a farce and we're not going to engage in a farce," he said.

"We will do whatever we can in the interests of the country, we will work with the Government or the Maori Party but it has to be in good faith and on a principled basis.

Mr Goff said any legislation replacing the Foreshore and Seabed Act would have to guarantee public access by Maori and Pakeha, and it should acknowledge and respect customary rights where they existed.

He said he would continue to criticise the Maori Party when he felt it was warranted.

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday the Government would work with Labour, if that was what Labour wanted.

- NZPA