Minister admits “back to square one” on Memorial Park
Arts and Culture Minster Christopher Finlayson has admitted there is no guarantee that the New Zealand War Memorial Park project will proceed, Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said.
“The Minister yesterday admitted at the Government Administration Select Committee that he is ‘back to square one’ in terms of the Memorial Park project,” Grant Robertson said.
“We already know that there is a Cabinet minute that says the project has been cancelled and there is no longer any money allocated for it in the Budget.
“The Minister admitted that he has no guarantee from Bill English that there will be any further funding for the project.”
“In the Select Committee Mr Finlayson claimed that the Cabinet Minute tabled in Parliament that said the project has been cancelled was an ‘error’.
“This is a ridiculous statement. Cabinet minutes go through a rigorous process of checking, and the decision is quite clear. Mr Finlayson should just stop the pretence and admit that the project is off.
“The Minister has claimed that he is not happy with the plans for the Memorial Park agreed last year between the Wellington City Council, central government and the local school.
“But yesterday at Select Committee he could not say what was wrong with the plans nor come up with a viable alternative.
“The Memorial Park project is an important one for veterans and their families and the people of Wellington. A design acceptable to the most interested parties is on the table, and ready to go.
“The Minister has mucked around for seven months, and now there is no money and no likelihood of funding for a memorial park. This is a great shame, and the Minister needs to take responsibility for it.” Grant Robertson said.
