It is appalling to see that the Labour Coalition Government is turning the clock back 20 years to the absurd “Closing the Gaps” policy of the Clark Government, Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash said today.

This year’s New Zealand Budget shows that over $8 million, or 17 percent of the total allocation for Vote Treaty Negotiations, has been earmarked for determining customary interests in the marine and coastal area over the next year.