6 Dec 2013

Labour criticises UN bid as Shearer lobbies for support

8:39 am on 6 December 2013

The Labour Party has criticised the Government's UN Security Council campaign at the same time as its foreign affairs spokesperson David Shearer is in New York lobbying for support.

At a parliamentary select committee, Mr Shearer's associate foreign affairs spokesperson, Maryan Street, raised questions about the Government's use of foreign aid in its campaign for a seat on the Security Council in 2015-16.

Mr Shearer was, meanwhile, lobbying representatives of the Palestinian Authority and Somalia, among others, at the United Nations. He says New Zealand's bid is based on its reputation as a small country with an independent foreign policy.

The chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, John Allen, dismisses Ms Street's suggestion aid is being used to win a Security Council seat.

It's believed aid is used by some countries to help their bid.