MP fails to front at local events | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Seldom-seen MP Georgina Beyer today defended her non-attendance at two important occasions.

Ms Beyer was noticeably absent from the opening of the rec-centre on Saturday and will not be fronting up to a Federated Farmers meeting tomorrow afternoon called to discuss public access to private land.

Ms Beyer said she had been unable to attend the rec-centre opening because of two prior engagements; one at a seminar in Auckland on Asian women in politics, the other a Labour Party electoral committee fundraising event in Rotorua.

Ms Beyer, who is standing as a list rather than electorate MP at the next election, said she had been unable to get leave from Parliament to attend the public access meeting.

Leave for Labour members had been cancelled from tomorrow because Parliament is in session and is about to start the second reading of the Civil Union Bill.

Ms Beyer said Trevor Mallard and Labour's Wairarapa candidate Denise MacKenzie had represented the Government at Saturday's pool opening.

There was also a representative from the Labour electorate office.

Ms Beyer said Mrs MacKenzie would also represent Labour at the access meeting tomorrow.

Wairarapa Federated Farmers president Jim Weston has expressed disappointment at the failure of both Ms Beyer and a Government Minister to attend the meeting.

Having Mrs MacKenzie at the meeting was not an adequate substitute because proposed new law on public access to private land could be passed before the next election.

The Government had been given every opportunity to send a representative, he said.

National's agriculture spokesman, Shane Arden, is going to be at the meeting.

There will also be representatives from the Act Party and from NZ First.