Wednesday 22 May 2002

ACT Leader Richard Prebble announced today he had decided not to stand for Wellington Central but to campaign for the party list vote.

"I enjoyed representing Wellington Central but the ACT Party's campaign committee wants me to campaign all over New Zealand," Mr Prebble said.

"My call for a zero tolerance approach to crime, with Truth-in-Sentencing, has received huge public support.

"I am determined to make a party vote for ACT a referendum on violent crime that Parliament cannot ignore. To do this I need to campaign nationwide.

"The ACT Party does not need a constituency seat as we are already above the 5 percent threshold and, in elections, ACT's vote always increases.

"I believe ACT can win 20 list seats from a nationwide campaign.

"I have discussed my plans with ACT's Wellington Central electorate committee who have indicated their support for my decision.

"ACT will stand a high-profile candidate in Wellington Central who will campaign for the party vote," Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media