The vicious personal attacks on the Rt. Hon Winston Peters for his speech calling for the abolition of the Maori seats shows how illogical New Zealand politics has become, said ACT Leader, Hon Richard Prebble. Mr Peters in a speech last night said that MMP solved the problem of under representation of minority groups in Parliament and a separate electoral system for Maori is no longer necessary. “To accuse him of racism for opposing racial seats is bizarre.

“Mr Peters is correct that the labelling of any person who questions racial preference as a ‘racist’ is preventing people from speaking out against the coalition’s programme of separate development based on race.

“Mr Peters is right to describe the coalition’s programme as apartheid. Those who dislike the term should re-examine their support for policies that are increasing the gaps and are dividing New Zealand.

“While Mr Peters and myself will disagree on a wide range of issue. What he said last night should be debated with out personal attacks. Abuse just makes it harder to discuss racial issues,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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