Turia exits Parliament in disgust over Labour attempts to stall Super City law

Labour's stalling tactics on bills to set up the new Auckland Super City council have gone too far and are wasting taxpayers' money, says Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia.

Mrs Turia left the debating chamber in anger yesterday after Labour forced votes on almost 1000 largely trivial amendments to a bill to set up a transitional authority and create the Auckland Council.

After she walked out, the Maori Party did not cast votes on the remainder of the amendments Labour had put forward as part of its filibuster strategy to draw out the passage of the bill in protest against National's use of urgency.

Mrs Turia said her party was strongly opposed to the legislation, but said Labour had taken it too far and was wasting taxpayers' money and valuable constituency time.

"But for the first time ever, I walked out of the House totally disgusted with this behaviour, which Labour thought was very amusing."

The delaying tactics mean MPs have to return to Parliament today and Prime Minister John Key says the Government is beginning to think it is possible they will also have to sit on Monday.

DELAYING TACTICS
* Labour amendments included changing the council's name to the Funsized Council.
* Six hours were also spent on voting on date changes.
* Sue Kedgley also pitched in with an amendment to try to ensure the council did not buy cars with engines bigger than 1800cc.