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MPs divided over flag referendum cost

Author
Laura McQuillan, Frances Cook,
Publish Date
Thu, 30 Oct 2014, 5:18AM
Politicians are split over whether the $26 million price tag of a flag referendum is worth it (Getty Images)
Politicians are split over whether the $26 million price tag of a flag referendum is worth it (Getty Images)

MPs divided over flag referendum cost

Author
Laura McQuillan, Frances Cook,
Publish Date
Thu, 30 Oct 2014, 5:18AM

Politicians are split over whether the $26 million price tag of a flag referendum is worth it.

John Key says that's the price of democracy - and Greens co-leader Russel Norman agrees.

"Our priority obviously is on other things like child poverty, but I mean it is a reasonable thing to have a national debate about and that does take money."

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters disagrees - and is threatening to boycott a cross-party working group on the issue.

"I'd prefer if we actually deal with homelessness and housing and unemployment and things that really matter at this point in time."

Peters has several concerns.

"I'm not anti the referendum on the flag. I'm anti the idea that we should, in the middle of an economic and social crisis in this country, go off and have $50 million possibly spent on this issue."

Meanwhile, Returned Services Association president B.J. Clark isn't impressed.

"I would have thought there is a lot more within New Zealand that could've been done with that $26 million - i.e. looking after our children, our environment - PTSD for our servicemen for example."

Returned Services Association president B.J. Clark says bringing in a new flag would cost much more.

"Our New Zealand driver's licence has the New Zealand flag on it, so I'd imagine if the flag was adopted immediately, all those drivers licences would have to be changed with the new flag."

 

 

 

 

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