GPC to appear at referendum talks

A re-activated Group for Political Change is expected to front up to round table talks with the Prime Minister on Thursday, ready to hammer out a commitment from the Government to hold a referendum.
The Prime Minister is said to have agreed to the talks this week, ahead of a formal submission to the Cabinet, next week.
The GPC, headed by Lynnsay Francis and Tere Carr, has largely been inactive in recent years but is now stepping forward to press for reform.
On the issue of a referendum, the Prime Minister and his Ministers have received informal briefings but have not yet reached a consensus position. The proposal being put forward for consideration would tie the referendum to the ballot paper at the General Election on 17 November.
Marurai said in advance of the Cabinet consideration, he would hear the views from a small group of stakeholders – the pro-reform lobbyists. Ear-marked to attend the Thursday discussion are GPC, Mou Piri Leader Teina Mackenzie, Tata Crocombe and Iaveta Short.

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