Pubdate: Tue, 18 May 2004
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2004 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.dompost.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Author: Leah Haines
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CANNABIS POLL THREAT TO TURIA

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is threatening to force a $500,000 
election it will almost certainly lose if former MP Tariana Turia does not 
commit to legalising cannabis.

Mrs Turia has confirmed she will contest the Te Tai Hauauru seat she 
vacated officially yesterday not as an independent, but as co-leader of the 
new Maori Party.

Nominations for election to the seat close on June 15. Any by-election, 
which could be triggered by ALCP or any voter who is nominated by two 
others, will be held on July 10.

Until yesterday Mrs Turia was expected to be returned unchallenged, as all 
parties in Parliament ruled out taking her on. Now taxpayers could be 
forced to fund a by-election, for what the cannabis party calls a 
referendum on cannabis laws - unless Mrs Turia agrees with legalisation. 
ALCP president Michael Appleby justified the expense by saying the $500,000 
was a drop in the bucket compared with more than $80 million it cost to 
enforce cannabis laws.

Though uncomfortable with cannabis smokers being deemed criminals, Mrs 
Turia refused to give any assurances about the Maori Party's position on 
legalisation because its policies had not been formed.

As for the ALCP's challenge, she said it was "disappointing to make the 
decision (about whether to stand) based on one question really".

She resigned her portfolios last month and gave notice she would leave 
Labour and Parliament today.

The Maori Party, co-led by academic Pita Sharples, has signed up more than 
500 members. It would be registered after a hui in Auckland at the weekend 
and before nominations closed, Mrs Turia said.

As a party leader and sole MP, she would be entitled to more staffing 
resources than independent MPs, based on the number enrolled in her party.

She, her husband, daughter, her daughter's partner, their two children, a 
niece and a nephew have moved from her ministerial residence in Wellington. 
Also gone are the trips in limos with stiff-suited ministerial chauffeurs: 
Mrs Turia spent yesterday being driven about Wanganui by Maori radical Ken 
Mair in his $800 beaten-up runabout.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager