Maori Party denies withdrawing ETS support

Te Ururoa Flavell confirmed the Maori Party was sticking with its deal. File photo / Stephen Parker

The Maori Party's ruling council is dismissing reports that it is discussing reneging on a deal over the emissions trading scheme (ETS) legislation.

It was reported today that Maori Party MPs were under pressure from party members to reverse their support for the ETS and that the national council would hold a telephone conference today, as some of the ruling body were unhappy about the deal with National.

Maori Party co-vice president Te Orohi Paul said the report was incorrect as no meeting of the council had been arranged or authorised.

"The Maori Party is a party of integrity. It keeps its word and we will not welch on promises made in good faith," Mr Paul said.

The party's national council had met twice already on the ETS and had received a great deal of information about the deal.

"The mischief making from unknown individuals, whilst sensational, will not change our resolve and distract us from the important work in hand," Mr Paul said.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell said he could also confirm the Maori Party was sticking with its deal.

"There is no discussion on the part of the national council with respect to this bill," Mr Flavell said.

It would have been a major political embarrassment for the Maori Party leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia if they had to renege on their deal, which they championed as a great deal for their constituents.

The Stuff website report today quoted an anonymous senior Maori Party source saying some members of the 26-member council were unhappy with the lack of consultation over the deal.

There was also concern about the costs of the scheme and the Maori Party source told Stuff that the ETS would increase debt and costs for low income people, due to subsidies for polluters.

The report is a sign of discontent at the grassroots level within the Maori Party which has been struggling with internal divisions in recent weeks.

Dr Sharples and Mrs Turia asked MP Hone Harawira to leave the party after recent outbursts, saying he would be better off being an independent MP.

Mr Harawira is said to have the backing of many within the party and yesterday Dr Sharples indicated he would be able to stay.

In Parliament, Labour MPs were quick to jump on reports of further internal division within the Maori Party.

Labour MP Shane Jones said Maori were outraged at the Maori Party MPs' "betrayal".

"This is the day that Maori Party voters realised they made an...error in giving them their vote," Mr Jones said.

"They recognise treachery when they see it."

Other MPs called on the Maori Party to vote against the bill.

Mr Flavell described the debate in Parliament as "sad", as there had been wide consultation with Maori over the ETS and it was "rich" of Labour MPs to talk about consultation

After negotiating a deal with the Maori Party, the Government has the numbers to pass the contentious legislation and it went through its second reading last night on a 63-58 vote.

MPs are currently voting on amendments for the bill with National, the Maori Party and United Future's Peter Dunne voting together.

The Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill sets up an ETS which will replace the one passed by the previous government just before last year's election.

It is easier on big polluters than Labour's version and reduces the impact of an ETS on fuel and energy prices.

Labour argued that it will end up creating large debts for the taxpayer who will have to subsidise polluters.

- NZPA