Those responsible for Labour’s 2011 election defeat should be identified and make a “dignified exit’’ from the caucus, Charles Chauvel said in his valedictory speech today.
Chauvel said he wished to make public two thoughts he had shared privately with Labour Party Leader David Shearer.
First – He sincerely wished Shearer would be the next Prime Minister and regretted he would not be the Attorney General.
Second – In an apparent reference to the recent reshuffle which had seen many of those supportive to David Cunliffe’s leadership aspirations demoted, he said it was unproductive to keep seeking the “supposed’’ enemy within.
Instead in order to stop history repeating there needed to be an open and honest look at why Labour suffered its worst ever defeat in 2011
“Those responsible for it should make dignified exits and all the undoubted talent and diversity should be included in the shadow Cabinet, Chauvel said’’.
In his speech, Chauvel said New Zealand should start preparing for a “transition’’ to an “inevitable’’ republic, and suggested an entrenched constitution and Bill of Rights which recognised the place of the Treaty of Waitangi would be a place to start.
He also bemoaned the diminishing of the independent media and said there should be a well-funded public broadcaster.
Earlier the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Covered Bonds) Amendment Bill completed its second reading on a voice vote.
The committee stage of the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill was completed by 64 to 56 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future supporting.
The committee stage of the Child Support Amendment Bill was interrupted for Chauvel’s valedictory speech.
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